A 20-year-old barber named Joseph Babatunde has been sentenced to 14 years in prison by an Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court in Akure for burglary and theft.
Babatunde was arrested by state police after breaking into a property and stealing a Toyota Hilux jeep engine valued at N1 million. Additionally, he broke into a shop and stole 18 plastic chairs valued at N87,000 on Araromi Street in the Ijoka area of Akure last week. He was charged with four counts of burglary and theft.
The prosecution indicated that Babatunde’s offenses violated Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2016. Babatunde pleaded guilty to all charges.
Chief Magistrate C.M. Omole ruled that the prosecution’s unchallenged evidence confirmed Babatunde’s admission of guilt. She found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him accordingly.
Babatunde received four years in prison with hard labor for each of the first three counts and two years for the fourth count, with an option of a N180,000 fine. The magistrate ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total of 14 years in prison.
