Magistrate Cites Stealing of Electronics from an Ibadan Church as the Reason for Sentencing an Ex-Convict to Six Months in Jail

An Ona-Ara Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan delivered a six-month prison sentence to Olaniyan Qudus, a 19-year-old ex-convict, following his conviction for stealing electronics from a church. The presiding Magistrate, A.M. Ayo-Alagbe, handed down the sentence after Qudus pleaded guilty to two charges: conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and stealing. The court's decision mandates that Qudus serve one month for disturbing the peace and six months for the theft, with both sentences running concurrently, resulting in a total of six months of imprisonment at the Agodi Correctional Facility. 

The prosecuting counsel, Salewa Hammed, presented evidence detailing the crime, which occurred on March 15 at approximately 2:00 p.m. at the All of Faith Christian Church in Oniyefun, Idi-Osan, Ibadan. The stolen items included an Elepaq generator valued at N200,000, an Ox fan worth N50,000, a Top engine valued at N30,000, a bell priced at N20,000, and a ceiling fan worth N50,000, bringing the total value of the stolen goods to N350,000. Hammed emphasized that Qudus, who had recently been released from prison, committed these offenses, which contravene Sections 249 and 390 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The court's ruling underscores the severity of the crime and the legal consequences faced by the ex-convict for his actions.