By Abolaji Adebayo
A 22 years old one-legged man, Samuel Oyebanjo, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment over an attempt to steal provision from two shops at No 48, Isheri Ijegun Road, Isheri-Oshun Lagos.
It was reported that the culprit, together with three others now at large, had stormed the shops belonging to one Mr. Okeke Chukwunonso and one Mrs. Ramota Adeleye at about 3am with the intention to break and steal from the shops.
According to investigating police, Insp. Augusting Okah, the accused with his accomplice had broken the door of Adeleke’s shop but was prevented to enter by the iron door, which could not be broken. After that, they went to Chukwunonso’s shop and broke the wall from the back to gain entrance into the shop.
Okah explained that while others were outside looking around, Oyebamiji entered the shop to pack the goods.
He said that the security men who were listening to the sound of breaking the wall rushed to the scene but others escaped while Oyebamiji who was inside the shop was napped and handed over to the police at Isheri-Oshun Police Division.
In the course of his investigation, the police inspector said the shop owners confirmed that nothing was stolen from their stocks by the thieves before the arrest of the culprit.
He disclosed that the police are still searching for others who are at large.
The Prosecutor, Oje Uagbale, said the accused was arraigned on 3-count charges bordering on felony to wit stealing, criminal damage to other people’s sproperties and illegal entrance to steal, the offences punishable under sections 411, 339 and 310 of Criminal Law of Lagos state 2015.
However, having pleaded guilty to the offences, the presiding magistrate, Hon. E. Teluwo sentenced the accused to one year imprisonment without any option.