Abeokuta, Ogun State — A Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta on Friday sentenced a 19-year-old, Ibrahim Abubakar, to six months in prison for stealing 282 chickens and other items valued at over N2.2 million.
Abubakar, whose residence was not disclosed, faced a one-count charge of theft.
Presiding Magistrate B.O. Ilo ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to establish Abubakar’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Consequently, the magistrate sentenced him to six months in prison without the option of a fine.
According to the Prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, Abubakar committed the theft between May and October at a poultry farm located at 44 Iyana Cele in the Sabo area of Abeokuta.
The stolen chickens, owned by Ademide Yusuf, were valued at N2.115 million.
In addition to the chickens, the prosecutor said Abubakar also stole items worth N70,500 from a neighboring compound.
The stolen items included an iron bed frame, electrical wires, a change-over switch, an electric switch, a seesaw iron, a hammer, and a First Aid box, all belonging to Mrs. Itunu Opatola.
Inspector Olu-Balogun recounted that Abubakar had frequently broken into the poultry farm to steal chickens, totalling 282, before he was eventually caught in the act.
On the day of his arrest, Abubakar attempted to flee by jumping over the fence but was apprehended with two live chickens and additional stolen items from Opatola’s compound. He later confessed to the theft.
The prosecutor noted that Abubakar’s actions violated Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun State, 2006.