From Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado-Ekiti
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Ugar Ebenezer, to four years imprisonment for stealing electrical cables.
The convict was arraigned before Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon on 23/8/2022 on two-count charge of house breaking and stealing.
The charge reads that Ugar Ebenezer on 18/8/2022 around 11:00 a.m. at Elemi Street, Off Afao Road, Ado Ekiti in the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District did break into dwelling house of one Daramola Olubunmi and committed felony, also on the same day, date and place did steal bundles of copper wire valued N1.4M, property of Daramola Olubunmi. According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary and punishable under sections 322 and 302 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
In his statement to the Police, the complainant who said he was supervising a site for my elder brother received calls around 11:00 a.m. that somebody has entered the building and carted away all the electric cables but has been arrested.
To prove his case, the prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adeniyi called three witnesses and tendered statement, cutting pliers, bundles of electric wires among others as exhibits , the defendant in his defense pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, and called no witness.
In his judgement, Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to three years imprisonment, and to restitute the sum of N1m to the nominal complainant.
