On Monday, the Chief Magistrate Court in Yaba convicted and sentenced a 27-year-old driver, Adeniyi Moses, to four years in prison for stealing a Samsung phone valued at N105,000.
Magistrate Patrick Nwaka delivered the sentence after finding Adeniyi guilty of theft.
The incident occurred on January 17, 2023, when Adeniyi, under the pretext of begging for alms at his former place of employment where he had been dismissed, stole a Samsung phone worth N105,000 from Okafor Ifeanyi. The theft was captured on a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, leading to a police report, his subsequent arrest, and prosecution.
Adeniyi was arraigned on two counts: theft and behaving in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace while pretending to solicit alms.
Prosecuting counsel Thomas Nurudeen stated that Adeniyi’s actions violated Sections 169(d) and 280(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015. The prosecution presented evidence, including testimony from two witnesses and CCTV footage, urging the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Magistrate Nwaka sentenced Adeniyi to four years in prison on the theft charge and discharged the breach of peace charge.
Before the sentencing, Adeniyi apologized and requested leniency, stating that he had learned his lesson.
His sentence will be effective from the date of his arrest.
