Man Jailed 23 Years For Stealing Plasma Television

By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City

An Oredo Magistrates’ Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced a 23-year old Bus driver, Osaro Ayewah, to two years imprisonment for stealing a Plasma TV.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Isi Iyoha sentenced the convict after pleading guilty to a two- count charge of burglary and theft.

Chief Magistrate Iyoha sentenced the convict one year each for the two count charge, adding that the sentence would run concurrently.

She however gave the convict option of fine of N10, 000 each in the two count charge.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Thomas Ojo told the court that the accused committed the crime on May 5, at Aruogba, near Benin city.

Ojo alleged that the accused, a bus driver, did unlawfully burgle the complainant, Mr Osagie Osayande’s apartment and stole an LG Plasma TV and other valuables.

He said the accused at about 10am on May 5, allegedly burgled Osayande’s apartment on Ogumweuyi Street, Aruogba community, in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

The prosecutor also alleged that the accused forced his way into the apartment through one of the windows, after scaling through the perimeter fence, when the complainant and his family were away on a social engagement.

He told the court that Ayewah ‎made away with several valuables, including one plasma TV valued at N150, 000, jewellery worth N140, 000 and a satellite decoder valued at N6, 000.

The prosecutor further alleged that the neigbours, however, sighted the accused and alerted security operatives as he attempted burgling the apartment the second time within few days after the first incident.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 411(2) and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable in Edo.