In a verdict delivered on Thursday, the Mapo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan sentenced Opeyemi Adeshina to three years’ imprisonment with hard labor for the theft of five cell phones from worshippers.
Magistrate O.O. Latunji, delivering the judgment, stated that she convicted and sentenced Adeshina based on the evidence presented and his plea of guilt. Despite Adeshina’s plea for leniency, Ms. Latunji emphasized the need to deter other criminals, sentencing him to three years in prison with hard labor.
“I hope that the convict is truly remorseful of his action because you shall be subjected to stiffer punishment if caught again after completing your jail term. Therefore, Adeshina is sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour,” Ms. Latunji declared.
The prosecution, represented by Oluseyi Akinola, informed the court that Adeshina was arraigned on a five-count charge of stealing, with the crimes occurring in Ibadan on December 26, 2023, January 12, and February 16, respectively.
According to the prosecutor, Adeshina visited various churches around Mokola, posing as a member of the congregation. He would then request to borrow the victims’ phones for an emergency and abscond with them. Adeshina’s crime spree came to an end on April 8 when one victim apprehended him at Saint Stephen area of Mokola.
Emmanuel Julius, Tosin Jimoh, Blessing Ogunniyi, Deborah Babatunde, and Modupe Olalere reported the theft of their phones, which included an Infinix Alt6 worth N60,000, a Techno Pop C valued at N55,000, an Itel 860 worth N78,000, an iPhone XI valued at N180,000, and an Infinix Max7 worth N110,000.
