A 20-year-old man, Matthew Iroko, was on Thursday sentenced to two years in prison by an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for stealing a chicken, valued at N1,000.
The sentence, followed a plea of guilty by Iroko, after he was arraigned before Magistrate Idowu Olayinka.
Olayinka sentenced Iroko to two years in prison without an option of fine.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the offence was committed on Nov. 22, at about 6 a.m. at Apesin Compound, Osiele Abeokuta.
He said that Iroko, of no fixed address, stole a chicken belonging to one Mrs Taiwo Alani .
“Iroko stole the chicken and headed for Osiele market to sell it, the complainant (Alani) saw the chicken with him and raised an alarm.
“An angry mob nabbed and beat him. My lord, Iroko is a common thief, who has been stealing chickens in the community.
“He has been caught several times, but people pardon him and let him go.
“Am afraid my lord, if the court pardons him, he will steal again and he might not be lucky the next time if he is given the jungle justice,” he said.
Ozimini argued that the offence contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun, 2006.
In his ruling, Olayinka said, “From all the evidence before me, it is obvious that you are guilty of the offence.
“You are hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour and without an option of fine.”