One Ugar Ebenezer was given a four-year prison sentence for stealing by the Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
On August 23, 2022, the 20-year-old prisoner was arraigned before Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon on two counts that involved theft and breaking.
According to the charge, Ugar Ebenezer broke into the residence of Daramola Olubunmi on August 18, 2022, at approximately 11:00 a.m. in the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District. He also stole bundles of copper wire worth N1.4 million from Olubunmi on the same day and location.
According to the prosecutor, the offenses were against the law and were punishable by sections 322 and 302 (1)(a) of the Ekiti State, 2021 Criminal Law.
The complainant identified himself as a retiree who had been supervising a site for his older brother. He went to the house that day to check on the wiring’s completion and left shortly after, hearing from neighbors that someone had broken into the building and carted all the electric wire but had been arrested. He hurried back to the scene, saw the defendant and the stolen wires, and reported and turned him over to the police.
The defendant was led in evidence to speak in his own defense by his attorney Adeyinka Opaleke; he begged the court to tamper justice with mercy and called no witnesses in order to support his case. The prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adeniyi, called three witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement, cutting pliers, and bundles of electric wires among other things as exhibits.
“I have critically considered the nature and circumstances surrounding the instant case and judged that the prosecution has proved his case beyond a reasonable doubt, I find the defendant guilty as charged,” declared Magistrate Dolamu Babalogbon in his ruling.
The defendant is found guilty on count one and count two. The sentences are to be served concurrently or in lieu of the terms, and the convict must return the sum of N1 million to the nominal complainant. The defendant receives a one-year sentence on count one and a three-year sentence on count two.
