Togolese Laborer Sentenced to Two Months in Prison for Theft of Farm Produce in Ibadan
An Ona-Ara Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has sentenced 25-year-old Togolese national, Sunday Abalo, to two months in prison for stealing farm produce and other items valued at N538,000. Abalo, who worked as a farm laborer, pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of theft.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. A.M. Ayo-Alagbe, handed down the sentence on Thursday, ordering that the two-month prison term for each count run concurrently.
Prosecutor Insp. Salewa Hammed detailed the circumstances of the crime, informing the court that Abalo committed the offenses in January at Oju-Ile Village, Olunde Akanran in Ibadan. Hammed stated that during his employment, Abalo stole tubers of yam and bananas valued at N480,000 from the farm owned by Segun Oladele, who had hired him.
Additionally, Abalo unlawfully entered Oladele’s residence and took cooking pots worth N25,000 and a water container valued at N33,000, which belonged to Mr. Dasola Azeez, bringing the total value of the stolen items to N538,000.
The prosecutor noted that Abalo’s actions violated Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Following the guilty plea and evidence presented, the court proceeded with the conviction and sentencing, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to addressing theft and upholding justice in the community.