A 28-year-old auto mechanic, Akeem Jimoh, has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing tubers of yam worth N35,000.
Jimoh was convicted on Wednesday, September 3, by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of theft.
According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed on Friday, July 25, 2025, at about 10 p.m. behind Africa Primary School in the Ataoja area of Osogbo. Jimoh was accused of stealing 17 tubers of yam belonging to one Tiamiyu Abegunde.
The offence contravenes Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.
Without legal representation, Jimoh admitted to the crime in court, saying he acted out of hunger and pleaded for leniency.
Police prosecutor Babatunde Olukokun told the court that in his confessional statement, Jimoh revealed he had previously served a three-year jail term after standing surety for someone who later jumped bail.
Presiding Magistrate Muibah Olatunji sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour, without the option of a fine.
The ruling follows similar recent convictions in the region, including the six-month jail terms handed down in July to Adebanjo Segun for stealing a fowl and to Kazeem Tobi for stealing an Elepaq generator valued at N120,000.
