A 60-year-old woman, Mrs Sade Akindeji, has been sentenced to two years in prison for burglary and stealing in Ondo town, Ondo State.
Akindeji was convicted by the Oke Eda Division of the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure after she was found guilty of a charges filed against her by the Ondo State Amotekun Corps.
The prosecution, led by D.S. Monster-Shagba, told the court that the offences were committed on June 29, 2025, at about 10:00 am at Road 2, Ope-Oluwa Street, Ondo.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant unlawfully broke into the residence of one Stella Akinmolayan by removing the padlock and stole a black sewing machine head, a power bank valued at N220,000, and a bowl of chin-chin.
Monster-Shagba further said the convict later handed the stolen items to another woman, who sold them to a Mrs Alonge, from whom the sewing machine and power bank were eventually recovered.
He added that the offences contravened Sections 383 and 390(6) of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006.
Three witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), testified for the prosecution, while Akindeji testified in her own defence.
During her testimony, Akindeji admitted entering the complainant’s house and taking the sewing machine but claimed she had intended to return it.
In his ruling, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on the evidence of witnesses and the defendant’s own admission.
“The defendant admitted breaking into the complainant’s house and removing the items. No relationship existed between the defendant and the complainant that could justify her possession of the items,” the magistrate said.
He described the defence as contradictory, stating that it was illogical for the defendant to claim she borrowed an item that was later sold.
The court sentenced Akindeji to two years’ imprisonment with an option of a N100,000 fine on the first count, and two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on the second count.
