An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Olamide Owolabi, to four years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing and escaping from police detention.

Owolabi was arraigned before the court on October 4, 2022, on five counts bordering on causing breach of peace by jumping through the fence of one Otutu Ifeanyi, unlawfully breaking into his shop, stealing items worth millions of naira, escape from police custody while on enquiry, among others.

“The offences contravene and are punishable under Sections 181, 322, 363, and 120(a) of the Criminal Law, No 12 Vol.1, Laws of Ekiti State Nigeria, 2021,” the charge stated.

When the charges were read, explained and interpreted to the defendant, he pleaded guilty and as well did not object to all exhibits tendered as he confessed to have committed the offences as charged.

The prosecutor, Inspector Bankole Olasunkanmi, who led the complainant, Otutu Ifeanyi, in evidence, tendered cartons of power bank, tracked and recovered Infinix phone, cartons of phones and other valuables as exhibits.

Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Michael Faola, who sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment for count two (jumping through the fence), and one year imprisonment for count five (escape from police custody), with hard labour, said the sentences were to run consecutively.

“All items recovered from the defendant currently in police custody be released forthwith to the complainant”, Faola ordered.