Abubakar Bello, a young ex-convict, caused a stir at the Mapo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan when he briefly escaped custody but was quickly apprehendedHe was dragged to court for alleged conspiracy and stealing, but after his escape, the magistrate sentenced him to three years in prison for stealing electrical cables worth N3.5 millionThe police prosecutor, Insp. Oluseye Akinola confirmed and shared further details on the development
Henzodaily.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Oyo state, Ibadan – On Tuesday, December 3, Abubakar Bello, a 23-year-old ex-convict, briefly escaped from the Mapo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, while awaiting another sentencing but was quickly apprehended by the police and military personnel who threatened to shoot him.
The ex-convict escapes the courtroom momentarily in Ibadan. Image for illustration purposes.
Photo credit: Federal High Court of Nigeria
Source: Facebook
Ex-convict bagged 3 three-year jail-term for his action
Following his arrest, the magistrate, Mrs. O.O. Latunji, stepped briefly into her chamber to write her judgement.
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Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Latunji sentenced Bello to three years of imprisonment for each of two offences, conspiracy and stealing, without the option of a fine.
The magistrate however said the jail terms were to run concurrently.
Court’s action explained
As reported by Vanguard, Latunji said she convicted and sentenced Bello based on the overwhelming evidence tendered against him by the police as well as his confessional statement.
According to the magistrate, she took note of the fact that pleading guilty to an offence should be accorded a reduced sentence.
“However, to serve as a deterrent to others, you are hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment for each of the two offences.
“The sentence has no option of fine and shall run concurrently,” Latunji said.
Convict stole cables worth N3.5 million
The police prosecutor, Insp. Oluseye Akinola, said the convict stole electrical cables worth N3.5 million from a filling station at Odo-Ona Kekere in Ibadan on October 28, 2024.
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The prosecution said one Mayowa Balogun, the Manager of Olabanji Oil and Gas Station at Odo-Ona Kekere, reported the stealing at Mapo Police Station, after which the police swung into action.
According to Akinola, the convict, who had just returned from a jail term, was apprehended by the filling station’s security guard at about 4 a.m. after cutting electrical installations.
“Other members of his gang are now at large,” he said.
The prosecutor said it was not the first time the convict would be leading his gang to steal from the filling station.
He said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Laws of Oyo State 2000.
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Ibadan: Mother faints as police nab son for stealing cable
Earlier, Henzodaily.ng reported that Sulaiman Abubakar, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested at Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan for allegedly stealing cable wire valued at approximately N300,000.
Abubakar reportedly entered the stadium during a training session of the Shooting Star Football Club and confessed to sleeping there overnight after security had locked the entrances.
In a surprising twist, the mother of the student reportedly fainted as Abubakar was handed over to the police for further investigation.
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Source: Henzodaily.ng