In Ibadan, the Mapo Chief Magistrates’ Court handed down a three-year prison sentence with hard labor to Opeyemi Adeshina for stealing five cell phones from worshippers. Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Latunji, delivering the judgment, explained that the conviction was based on the evidence presented and Adeshina’s plea of guilt. Despite his plea for leniency, Latunji emphasized the need for deterrence, warning of harsher consequences for repeat offenders.
The prosecution, led by Insp Oluseyi Akinola, outlined the case, stating that Adeshina committed the thefts on multiple occasions between December 26, 2023, and February 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Adeshina, posing as a church member, would borrow phones under false pretenses and then abscond with them. He was apprehended on April 8 after one victim caught him in the act.
The stolen phones included an Infinix Alt6, Techno pop C, Itel 860, iPhone XI, and Infinix Max7, totaling significant value. Adeshina’s actions violated section 390(9) of the Criminal Act Cap 38 Vol II Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.
