Ex-convict Bags 10 Years Jail Term For Burgling Canteen, Stealing Pot Of Soup

.….Convict’s Mum Storms Court, Claims Son Is Under Spell

A n Osogbo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Akeem Onaolaji, to 10 years imprisonment for breaking into a canteen and stealing a pot of soup, pieces of meat and some fufu, a starchy local delicacy.

Onaolaji, an ex-convict, was said to have burgled some shops in Osogbo and carted away other items worth N105,700.

When the case was called for hearing, Onaolaji, who recently finished serving a jail term for stealing at Ilesa prisons, confessed to the court that he stole a pot of egusi soup with some pieces of meat and fufu from the canteen.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Fagboyinbo Abiodun, while addressing the court, said the accused committed the offence sometime in the month of December 2017, January 20, 2018, and February 23, 2018, respectively, at Temidire Estate in Osogbo.

Fagboyinbo said Onaolaji unlawfully entered into the shops of some traders: Oginni Oluwasogo, Risikat Aderibigbe, and Bashirat Yusuf and carted away the items.

The items stolen include one wooden shelf, three pillow cases, and one dressing chair, valued at N84,000, property of Oginni Oluwasogo.

Other items include one gas cooker, containers of rice, containers of beans and other items, valued at N21,700, property of Bashirat Yusuf.

But the court discharged and acquitted the accused person on Count 6, which alleged that he stole one and a half carton of baron, valued at N2,600, one pack of 1960 origin, half carton of Joven, valued at N3,700; one carton of Erujeje, valued at N3,000; a carton of Seaman Schnapps, valued at N19,300; two cartons of Chelsea, valued at N13,200; one carton of trophy, valued at N4,000; one carton of Kronenbourg, valued at N4,000.

Other items allegedly stolen by the accused in the Count 6 included one carton of Chelsea, valued at N7,000; three bottles of McDowell, valued at N10,500; two bottles of Best, valued at N1,000; two bottles of brandy, valued at N1,200; two bottles of Schnapps, valued at N2,000; among others, property of Risikat Aderibigbe.

Inspector Fagboyinbo said the accused person had committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 413, 390(9), and 515 Criminal Code Cap 34, Volume II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the six counts but since the prosecution did not prove count 6 beyond reasonable doubt, the court discharged and acquitted Onaolaji on that
count.

But there was a mild drama in the courtroom before Magistrate Tunde Badmus delivered his judgement.

The accused’s mother stormed the court and started shedding tears. She knelt down and begged the court to set Onaolaji free, claiming that he was under a spell.

Speaking in Yoruba language, the aged woman said, “Please, my son is under a spell. There is no way he could steal a pot of soup if he was alright. Please, release him for me to take him to healing homes.”

The court called the woman to order and reminded her that she was disturbing the peace of the court. Onaolaji was not represented by any lawyer in court.

Magistrate Badmus sentenced Onaolaji to two years imprisonment on count 1, one year imprisonment on count 2, three years imprisonment on count 3, three years jail term on count 4 and twelve months imprisonment on count 5, totaling 10 years jail
term.

Badmus who did not give the ex-convict an option of fine, however, ruled that the jail terms should be served concurrently.