9th November, 2010
A 19-year old butcher, Sodiq Olalekan, of Owode Orile Mile 12, Lagos State, Nigeria has been sentenced to two days imprisonment by an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court, for stealing a goat and its baby.
Sodiq was apprehended while attempting to steal the goats on 28 October 2010, at Elias Estate, Owode Onirin, Ikorodu Road, Lagos, by the neighbours of the owner, Alhaji Sheik Alegbe and was handed over to policemen attached to Owode Onirin Station.
In his statement to the police, the convict said: “I was asked to steal the goats by one of my friends called Esheye. He was the one who used cellotape to cover the goat’s mouth.
”Some people saw us while taking the goats away and challenged us. My friend left the goats and ran away while I was caught and brought to the police station.â€
The convict had earlier pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, but later changed his plea when the owner of the stolen goats, Alhaji Sheik Alegbe, told the court that he had forgiven him.
His offences, according to the police prosecutor, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Eyo Uwai, are punishable under Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Sodiq Olalekan, on 28 October, 2010, at Elias Estate, Owode Onirin, Ikorodu Road, in the magisterial district did steal one goat valued at N10,000, property of Alhaji Sheik Alegbe, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C. 17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.â€
After his plea was taken, he was sentenced to two days imprisonment with hard labour by the court magistrate, Mrs. B. Folarin Williams.
— Paul Sanusi
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