News : Man jailed six months for stealing goat

A middle-aged man, Wasiu Alabi has been sentenced to six-month imprisonment by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for stealing a goat.

Alabi had pleaded guilty to the two-count of conspiracy and stealing.

The charge sheet stated that the offences were committed at Halleluyah Estate in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State on June 5, 2012 at about 12 noon.

Police prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo, said Alabi and the owner of the goat, Mrs. Olanike Adedokun, were neighbours.

He added that the convict conspired with one Mohammed, who is at large, to steal the goat.

 The convict had earlier been granted bail by the court in the sum of N20, 000 and two sureties but he was remanded at Ilesa Prison when he could not meet the bail conditions.

After three months at the prison, he was re-arraigned last Friday.

Upon his re-arraignment, Alabi pleaded guilty to the two-count levelled against him.

Fagboyinbo told the court that the offences committed were contrary to, and punishable by Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 31, Volume II, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria 2003.

Counsel to Alabi, Mr. Taiwo Awokunle, said the convict had already spent three months in prison custody when he could not meet the bail conditions and therefore pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko, in his judgment, noted that Alabi appeared sober, expressing the hope that he (Alabi) would turn a new leaf.

Aluko subsequently sentenced him to three months for each count, adding that the jail terms were to run concurrently.

He, however, gave him an option of N1, 000 fine on each count.