8th June, 2010
A 24-year old man, Obi John, has told an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, Nigeria presided by Mrs. M.B. Folami that his aged mother forced him to come to Lagos to make money, adding that was why he went into crime.
Obi, whose real name is Chibuke, said his mother asked him to come to Lagos and make money like his peers from his village who live in Lagos have made money.
Chibuke who hails from Anambra State was arrested and charged to court for stealing spare parts worth N95,000 at a shop belonging to Chinedu Obi, located at 6, St. Paul Street, Oke Afa, Ejigbo.
The offence is contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004. He was subsequently charged to court where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Oladejo Balogun, described the accused as a habitual criminal and should not be allowed to go scot free.
He added that the accused has no address and has been going round committing crimes.
The magistrate found him guilty as charged and ruled that since he was caught in the act and was appearing in court for the first time and did not waste the time of the court by pleading guilty, the court would give him the benefit of doubt to turn a new leaf.
The court noted that since he has no place to sleep and will constitute a nuisance on the streets, it ordered that Obi should be sent back to his parents in Anambra State.
Money was raised to this effect to ensure his return to Anambra.
The IPO was told to ensure that he was transported back to his village.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe & Elegbede Adepeju