A 60-year-old woman, Mrs Sade Akindeji, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for burglary and stealing in Ondo town, Ondo State.
Mrs Akindeji was convicted by the Oke Eda Division of the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure after she was found guilty of a two-count charge brought against her by the Ondo State Amotekun Corps.
The prosecutor, D.S. Monster-Shagba had told the court that the offences were committed on June 29, 2025, at about 10 am at Road 2, Ope-Oluwa Street, Ondo.
He said the defendant broke into the residence of one Stella Akinmolayan by removing the padlock and stole a black sewing machine head, a power bank valued at N220,000 and a bowl of chin-chin.
The prosecutor added that the convict later handed over the stolen items to another woman who sold them to one Mrs Alonge, where the sewing machine and power bank were eventually recovered.
Monster-Shagba said the offences contravened Sections 383 and 390(6) of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Three witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), testified for the prosecution, while the defendant testified in her own defence.
Akindeji admitted entering the complainant’s house and taking the sewing machine but claimed she intended to return it.
In his judgment, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on the testimonies of witnesses and the defendant’s admission.
“The defendant admitted breaking into the complainant’s house and removing the items. No relationship existed between the defendant and the complainant that could justify her possession of the items,” the magistrate said.
He described her defence as contradictory, noting that it was illogical to claim to have borrowed an item that was later sold.
The court sentenced her to two years’ imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine on the first count and two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on the second count.
It added that the sentences are to run concurrently.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
