A 19-year-old, Ibrahim Abubakar, was sentenced to six months in prison by an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Friday for stealing 282 live chickens and other items valued at over N2.2 million.
The court, presided over by Magistrate B.O. Ilo, found Abubakar guilty on a single count of theft, following evidence presented by the prosecution.
The magistrate ruled that the prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt and sentenced Abubakar without offering an option for a fine.
Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, the prosecutor, informed the court that the theft took place between May and October at a poultry farm located at Number 44, Iyana Cele, in the Sabo area of Abeokuta.
According to Olu-Balogun, Abubakar repeatedly broke into the poultry farm owned by Ademide Yusuf and stole a total of 282 live chickens valued at N2.115 million.
In addition, Abubakar also entered a neighboring compound and took items worth N70,500.
The stolen items included an iron bed frame (valued at N25,000), electric wires (N20,000), a change-over switch (N5,000), an electric switch (N2,000), a seesaw iron (N10,000), a hammer (N3,500), and a First Aid Box (N5,000), all belonging to Mrs. Itunu Opatola.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant was caught in the act when he attempted to steal more chickens.
“He was caught inside the poultry farm trying to steal chickens. He jumped over the fence when the owner arrived but was later apprehended with two live chickens and other stolen items from Opatola’s property,” Olu-Balogun said. Abubakar later confessed to being responsible for the ongoing thefts at the poultry farm.
The prosecution noted that the offence violates Section 390(9) of the Ogun State Criminal Laws, 2006.