Two individuals employed as farm workers have been met with a combined sentence of 18 months in prison following their conviction for the theft of a substantial quantity of catfish from their employer's premises.
The pronouncement of their fate was made by the Magistrates Court in Abeokuta, the administrative center of Ogun State, shedding light on the gravity of the offense and its ensuing ramifications.
Adegoke Akinleye and Adediran Adewole, both former employees of a farm located in Ilewo, Abeokuta, faced charges of felony and theft in connection with the disappearance of catfish valued at N606,000. Justice O.O. Odumosu presided over the proceedings and delivered the judgment on a Wednesday.
The court meted out a verdict of six months' imprisonment for each defendant on the initial charge, followed by an additional year of imprisonment for each defendant on the subsequent charge, resulting in an aggregate custodial term of 18 months.
In a somewhat merciful gesture, Justice Odumosu extended an alternative to incarceration, permitting the convicted individuals the opportunity to settle a fine of N10,000 each for every term of imprisonment imposed.
This leniency was extended under the condition that they would make restitution of the pilfered sum of N606,000 to the complainant, Ibukun Sanusi.
The prosecutor, Olakunle Shonibare, presented the court with evidence detailing the offenses committed on January 24, 2023.
These actions were found to be in violation of Sections 516(1) and 382(2) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State.
“That you, Akinleye Adegoke, Adewole Adediran and others at large on January 24, 2023 at about 12noon at Abidelep Farm and Agro-Service Limited, Ilewo, Orile, Abeokuta in the magisterial district did conspire to commit felony and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 516(1) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun State.
“That you, Akinleye Adegoke, Adewole Adediran and others at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did steal 404 pieces of catfish valued at N606,000 property of one Mrs Sanusi Ibukun and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 382(2) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State,” the charge read in part.