Ogun man bags two years imprisonment for stealing from church, mosque

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo has sentenced a 22-year-old man identified as Atofeyinti Gafar to two years’ imprisonment for stealing valuables worth over N1.7 million from a church and a mosque.

The defendant, with no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Opeyemi Lawal, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in May and on October 30, at about 6:00 am at the Itoko Area of Abeokuta.

Lawal said the convict unlawfully entered into the premises of C & S Orisun Ibukun Goshen Church with the intent to steal.

He said the defendant stole an amplifier engine valued at N350,000, a 6 by 6 foam valued at N250,000, and two speakers valued at N200,000.

Other items include a stove and cooking utensils valued at N170,000, two bells valued at N40,000 and some quantity of wire valued at N50,000.

The prosecutor further alleged that on October 18, the defendant broke into the property of Allahu Rahamon Islamic Society with intent to steal.

He said the defendant stole an amplifier engine valued at N450,000 and four speakers valued at N250,000.

Lawal said all items stolen were valued at a total sum of N 1.7 million

According to him, the defendant was apprehended by vigilante officers, leading to his arrest.

Lawal said the offences committed contravened Sections 390(9) and 412 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Delivering her judgment on Tuesday, the Magistrate, Miss O.T. Odubanjo, convicted the defendant following his guilty plea to the charges.

Odubanjo subsequently sentenced the convict to two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy and stealing, with no option of a fine on each count.

The magistrate said the sentences must run concurrently.