Man Jailed 15months For Stealing Church Bell

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced one Aminu Sheu, 21, to 15 months in prison for stealing hand bells and cymbal drums from two churches in Osogbo. The Magistrate, Mrs Ademola Olowolagba, convicted the accused based on self-admittance to the charges against him and the evidence provided by the prosecution. Olowolagba said that though the convict looked remorseful, he had to be punished for his crime to serve as a deterrent to others. She therefore sentenced the accused to 15 months in prison without an option of fine. The police prosecutor, Insp. Abiodun Fagboyinbo, had earlier told the court that Sheu committed the offence on March 13 at about 12: 40 p.m. at Adetunji Estate in Osogbo. Fagboyinbo said the convict broke into Christ Apostolic Church, Adetunji Estate branch, where he stole three hand bells valued at N18, 000 and four cymbal drums valued at N25, 000. He said that about 1p.m., the convict moved from Christ Apostolic Church to Power Life Baptist Church where he equally stole two hand bells valued at N10, 000 and three cymbal drum. Fagboyinbo said the convict was apprehended when a resident spotted him and called the pastor of one of the churches who later drove into the area and apprehend him. He said the offence committed by the convict contravened sections 415 and 416 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun 2003. The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and his counsel, Mr Okobe Nagite, pleaded for leniency on his behalf