Man gets six-month jail term for stealing Sallah ram

Sulaiman Awokunle, a 30-year-old man, has been sentenced to jail for six months for allegedly stealing a ram for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Awokunle, who was arraigned at an Osogbo magistrate court in Osun state, was said to have stolen the ram worth N25,000 at Onunrin’s compound in Iree.

At the hearing, Elisa Olusegun, the police prosecutor, told the court ram belonged to one Saka Idowu of Onunrin’s compound.

The police prosecutor said Awokunle’s offence is contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code, cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun state of Nigeria, 2003.

When the charge was read, the accused pleaded “guilty” to the one count-charge of theft levelled against him.

Najite Okobe, counsel to Awokunle, prayed the court to “temper justice with mercy” in its sentencing.

The lawyer explained that the accused was first time offender who was preparing to celebrate Sallah with his family.

In her ruling, Adenike Olowolagba, the judge, sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment.

The judge also gave him an option of fine in the sum of N4,000.