Three Men To Spend Xmas, New Year In Prison For Stealing Fruits In Osun State

Three men have been sentenced to six months imprisonment each for stealing palm fruits and pineapples in Osun State.

A Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, capital of the state on Friday passed the judgment.

The convicts include a 57-year-old Azeez Olarewaju, Sarafa Olarewaju, aged 33, and Ilutoye Olayode, aged 25.

The State police that prosecuted the three men accused them of conspiracy, trespass and theft.

According to the Police Prosecutor, John Idoko, an Inspector of Police, the convicts committed the offence on August 4, 2008 at about 10:00am at Igbo via Ejigbo in the state.

Idoko argued that the trio conspired and forced themselves into a parcel of land that was in custody of one Adeyemi Oyedemi without any justifiable reason.

During hearing of the matter yesterday, Idoko said the convicts stole palm fruits and pineapples valued at N300,000.

The prosecutor informed the court that the theft almost led to breach of public peace around the area but for the quick intervention of the Nigeria Police.

The offence, according to the prosecution contravened Sections 516, 81, and 383 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.

The trio pleaded not guilty.

But the presiding judge, Magistrate Olusola Aluko found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.

Meanwhile, counsel to the convicts, Mr Babatunde Akanbi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing them.

Aluko sentenced the convicts to 6 months imprisonment each with an option of N10,000 fine each.