The Ajagun Ode of the Ode community, Oba Adewale Sunday Boboye, was sentenced to ten years in prison by an Osi Magistrate Court in the Akure North council area of Ondo state for forcibly destroying food crops and palm trees.
Oba Boboye was previously accused of six counts of felonies related to malicious mischief.
The trial magistrate, Mrs. Bukola Ojo, found the defendant guilty of the accusations brought against him and sentenced him to ten years in prison.
According to Police Prosecutor Sergeant Ajiboye Babatunde, the convict and others at large “conspired to conduct Felony to wit: malicious damage on September 20, at or around 3:00 pm at the Pastorate and Laity of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, along Ado Ekiti Road Igoba, Akure North.
Babatunde equally alleged that the convict unlawfully demolished the perimeter fence of the pastorate and laity of the Church, valued at about one million naira, demolished the Palm trees and food crops valued at about five million, and demolished the signpost of the church.
Drivers’ License: FRSC Begins CBT For New Applicants
He added that the convict, when arrested, could not give a satisfactory account to the police.
The prosecutor said that ” the offence contravened sections 516, 451, 249(d), and 81 of the Criminal Code Cap 7 vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
Babatunde called four witnesses to testify in court and asked the court to punish him accordingly so as to serve as a deterrent to others who might indulge in a similar act.
But, the convict, through his defence counsel, Adeola Kayode, denied the allegations levelled against him.
He urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering judgement, Magistrate Ojo, convicted and sentenced the accused to prison for a period of two years in count one with an option of a fine of N20,000.
Magistrate Ojo said that “On count two and three, the defendant is sentenced to two years imprisonment each with no option of fine and another one-year jail term with an option of fine of N10,000.
” On count five, the defendant is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of two years with no option of fine while on count six, the defendant is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of one year with an option of fine of N20,000.
The court thereafter awarded the sum of N5 million naira as compensation to the complainant for the damage of the perimeter fence, palm trees and other crops.
Magistrate Ojo, however, noted that “if the convict pays the compensation, the imprisonments would be ‘vacated.
She added that yhe imprisonment was to run concurrently.
Follow us on facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.
