12th October, 2010
A convict, Adedayo Adetayo, who specialises in stealing motorcycles popularly called okada in Somolu area of Lagos State, South West Nigeria, was on Friday sentenced to one-year imprisonment by a Somolu Magistrate’s Court.
Adedayo was arrested by the Neighbourhood Watch team, the local government security outfit, on patrol on 7 November, 2009 while attempting to steal a motorcycle where it was parked.
He had earlier pleaded not guilty he was arraigned on a three-count charge of possession of dangerous weapon, felony and burglary, which are punishable under Sections 417(C), 509 and 516 of the Criminal Code. However, he changed his plea when the case came up on Friday.
Giving the facts of the case to the court, the prosecutor, Inspector Adegoke Akinlabi said, “on 7 November, 2009, by 1 a.m., on Apata Street, Somolu, Lagos, a group of Neibourhood Watch men led by Taofeek Olumegbon, were on patrol when they sighted the accused and others. The accused and others took to their heels and the men pursued them and arrested the accused.
“The accused was handed over to the police and when a search was conducted on him a sharp iron cutter was found on him, this he confessed to the police as what he used in cutting the chain of the motorcycles from where they are parked. The iron cutter was tendered before the court as exhibit.
“After an investigation into the matter, the police charged the suspect to court.â€
Mrs. B.O Osunsanmi, the trial magistrate asked the accused if all that were said by the prosecutor were true and he answered in the affirmative.
The accused’s counsel, Barrister A.B. Folorunsho urged the court to temper justice with mercy, since he had pleaded guilty to all the charges. He adding that the accused has an aged father whom he looks after.
Delivering judgement, Mrs Osunsanmi said, “having found the defendant guilty as charged he is hereby sentenced to imprisonment for one year on each count charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.â€
—Paul Sanusi