N1.6m Theft : Convict Gets Freedom With N4000 Fine In Osun

Facts have emerged of how a convict, Yemi Adeoye , who pleaded guilty of stealing goods and cash worth of N1, 619, 450(One million, six hundred and nineteen thousand, four hundred and fifty naira) from his employer was freed by a Magistrates’ court sitting in Osogbo with a fine of N4,000.

A certified true copy of the judgement , which was delivered by Magistrate Ademola Olowolagba, with charge number: MOS/66/16, and signed by the Principal Registrar of the court, Mr D. Adesiyan revealed that the accused, Yemi Adeoye was a salesman with Bola Garba Nig. Ltd at the premises of the NUJ Press Centre in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

According to the judgement, Adeoye had pleaded guilty of stealing 155 cartons of Trophy beer, 84 cartons of Goldberg beer, 94 crates of Maltina, 33 cartons of Heinekin, 3 cartons of Root drinks, one carton of passion drink, and eight crates of Farouz.

He also admitted to have stolen the sum of N371, 070 in cash with two crates of Milk drinks, 15 Gold malt, 82 empty cartons of International Breweries products and 127 empty cartons of assorted drinks.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Adegoke had earlier intimated the court that the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 390(9)(6) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

The narrative of the prosecution explains that the offense was committed between 2014 and 27th January, 2016, as the court found him guilty on the strength of his plea and convicted accordingly.

However, the allocutus states thus: Defence counsel(Barrister Mudashiru Balogun) pleads for the court mercy, that the convict is a first time offender and urges court justice with mercy and also that the convict has not wasted the precious time of the court and that he is extremely remorseful.

“It appears the accused has learnt his lessons and that the convict has been seriously ill for a while, also being for the last adjournment that incarcerating him will worsen his condition and also that he is a very young man that has his future ahead of him.

“Also, he has an aged mother and the pain of incarceration will be for them to bear, and that today is his one year wedding anniversary, hereby earnestly, passionately, sincerely and most humbly apply that the court tenders justice with extreme mercy”.

In her judgement therefore, Olowolagba thereafter sentenced the accused to two years imprisonment with an option of N4,000(Four thousand naira)

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ms Bola Adewoye has rued the potency of Nigeria legal system that encourages criminality to fester instead of serving as deterrent.

Adewoye in a chat with our correspondent wondered how a fine of four thousand naira could be given as an option for a fraud of over N1.6m, arguing that such judgement could not serve as a deterrent for would-be-criminal in any way, which, according to her should be and intrinsic intent of any legal system and extant law of the land.

“The aftermath of the soft landing provided for criminals in our legal system is indeed catastrophic , my personal experience in this case is practically bitter to say the least.

“Another employee in my establishment, Banji Daramola, having witnessed how Adeoye was let out of the hook with ease by the court did the same thing recently, carting away huge amount of money.

“I make bold to say that our legal system is a bane to development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria; as individuals are bridging the gap of unemployment, government is doing nothing to protect entrepreneurs for sustainability.

“This development is disheartening and dangerous for the survival of our nation, no nation survives without the input of the small scale business, and that is why I am bringing the issue to the court of public opinion for review”, she said.