Man sentenced to 12 months in jail by Abeokuta court for trying to steal from Obasanjo

AN Abeokuta magistrates court has sentenced a 33-year-old man named as Seun Sowemimo to 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine for attempting to steal from former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mr Sowemimo, whose address was not provided, pleaded guilty to the two counts of theft and causing breach of peace. Sentencing him, the magistrate, Mrs Olajumoke Somefun, said that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty as charged.

Prosecuting policeman Olakunle Shonibare had earlier told the court that Mr Sowemimo scaled the fence into Chief Obasanjo’s compound in Abeokuta on April 1 with the intent to steal. He explained, that, immediately he jumped in, he was caught by one of the security guards on duty.

According to Mr Shonibare, the offence contravened the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006. It is not yet clear exactly what Mr Sowemimo planned to steal for Chief Obasanjo's compound.