An 18-year-old girl, Zainab Adebayo has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour by a Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, after she was found guilty of stealing ₦800,000 from her neighbour’s bedroom.
The sentence, which was handed down by the court’s President, Mrs. O.E. Owoseni, was a result of Adebayo’s guilty plea and the compelling evidence presented by the police prosecution.
In her judgment, Mrs. Owoseni emphasized that the sentence was intended to serve as a deterrent to others who might be inclined to commit similar criminal acts. She stated that Adebayo’s actions were a violation of the law and her punishment would underscore the importance of holding individuals accountable for such crimes.
“The sentence is not just for punishment but also a warning to others who may have similar criminal tendencies,” Owoseni remarked during the proceedings.
Adebayo was convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with the option to perform six months of community service as an alternative. Additionally, she was given the option to pay a fine of ₦200,000 instead of serving the prison sentence. This option provides some flexibility in the sentencing, giving the convict a chance to avoid incarceration by paying the stipulated fine or completing community service.
The teenager, who was arraigned before the court on Friday, admitted to the two-count charges of burglary and theft. She confessed that on March 28, 2025, she entered the bedroom of Mrs. Temitope Musbau, the complainant, who is a businesswoman residing in the Ologuneru area of Ibadan, Oyo State. During her illegal entry into the room, Adebayo stole a piggy bank, locally known as a ‘kolo,’ which contained ₦500,000 in cash.
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The prosecution, led by Inspector Ayodele Ayeni, further explained that Adebayo did not stop at the piggy bank but also stole an additional ₦150,000 in cash that was kept outside a safe in the same room. Furthermore, she made off with several bottles of perfume worth ₦150,000, also taken from the complainant’s bedroom.
The prosecutor, Insp. Ayeni, told the court that Adebayo’s actions contravened the provisions of sections 412 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38 Vol. II, Law of Oyo State, 2000, which address the offences of stealing, breaking and entering, and theft.
According to Ayeni, the complainant, Mrs. Musbau, had discovered the theft shortly after it occurred and reported the matter to the police. Following an investigation, Adebayo was arrested, and the stolen items were recovered.
During the trial, Adebayo’s defence team did not contest the charges, and she eventually admitted her guilt, which was taken into account when determining her sentence. The judge noted that Adebayo’s honesty in admitting the crime of stealing may have influenced the decision to offer the alternative sentencing options.
Mrs. Owoseni concluded the proceedings by reiterating the need for the judiciary to make strong statements against criminal behaviour, especially in cases where young individuals are involved. She stressed that such crimes not only harm the victims but also damage the social fabric of the community.
As part of the sentencing, the court instructed Adebayo to comply with whichever option she chose—either serving six months in prison, performing community service, or paying the fine—by the prescribed deadlines. The court also warned that failure to comply with the terms would result in a strict enforcement of the initial prison sentence.
Crediblenewng.com
