A security guard in Osogbo, Osun state, Olayiwola Ishola, has blamed the hardship in the country for his decision to break into a shop and steal property worth N448, 000.
Ishola was arraigned before Justice Mashkur Salisu of a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on one count charge of housebreaking and stealing.
The charge sheet obtained by Blueprint stated that the convict, being a security guard and being charged with the duty of securing properties at Keystone Bank area, Osogbo, “did unlawfully break into the shop of one Yusuff Kazeem Deji ‘m’ and stole clothes, trousers, belts, and boxers valued N448,000, property of Yusuff Kazeem Deji ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Cap “C38″ Vol. IV Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.”
The convict who had no legal representation, admitted guilty of the charge and was remanded in the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
When his case came up, Thursday, he pleaded with the court to be merciful with him, saying the hardship in the nation pushed him to the crime because his salary was not enough to cater for his family.
Justice Salisu, who considered the plea of leniency in line with the provision of Sections 416 & 460 ACJA 2015 and dependants of the convict, thereby sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment.
