An Ondo State Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure, the state capital, has sentenced a man, Olushola Olatunde, to 21 years imprisonment for stealing items in some churches.
Olatunde was arrested by the men of the state police command on December 8 and 24, 2024 for stealing some items in the Revelation of God Miracle Church, which included, money, a public address system and iron rod among others all valued at ₦1,340,900.
He was later charged to court and arraigned before the court on six counts bordering on stealing and illegal entry. The convict pleaded guilty to the charges.
During the trial, the state prosecutor, D.S. Msonter-Shagba, informed the court that Olatunde committed the offences between December 24, 2024, and January 8, 2025, at different times and locations in Akure adding that on December 24, at No. 17 Plaza Road, Isolo, Akure, he broke into the Revelation of God Miracle Church and stole a 16-channel live series audio mixer worth ₦250,000 and a public address system valued at ₦250,000.
Also, on the same day, at No. 7 Ore-Ofe Street, Oke Ijebu, Akure, the convict broke into the Garden of Faith Church, stealing items that included an amplifier worth ₦230,000, a 6.5kV generator valued at ₦250,000, two lengths of 12mm rods worth ₦19,600, and an iron tithe box valued at ₦35,000, totalling ₦534,600.
On December 24, 2024, the prosecutor said Olatunde stole 33 bags of cement valued at ₦306,900 from Shasha Market, Kilometre 12, Owo Express Road, Akure. The stolen items were said to have been valued at ₦1,340,900.
Msonter-Shagba argued that the offences committed contravened Sections 383, 390(9), 415, and 413(2) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
In his judgement, the magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, convicted and sentenced Olatunde to 21 years imprisonment without an option of a fine.
The court stated, in counts one, two, three, five, and six, the defendant is sentenced to four years imprisonment each, and in count four, the convict is sentenced to one year imprisonment.”
The magistrate however ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, which means Olatunde would serve four years in the correctional centre.
Credit: punchng.com