A Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan has sentenced one Maruf Qudri, 21 to four months in jail for stealing four bags of potato valued at N96,000.

Delivering judgment, the court President, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, said that Qudri was convicted and sentenced based on the evidence tendered against him by the prosecution as well as his guilty plea.

She consequently sentenced Qudri to four months in the Correctional Centre for each of the four counts or an option of six months of community service.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the convict was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Ayeni had told the court that the convict committed the crime on March 2, at about 5.30 a.m., at Bere area, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ayeni further said that Qudri along with one Tobi, now at large, entered into the shop of one Kafayat Rahim, and stole four bags of potato valued at N96,000 and solar cable valued at N15,000, property of one Omolola Rafiu.

He said that other item stolen by the convict include an electric cable valued at N100,000, property of one Ayodeji Babalola.

Ayeni said that Qudri had confessed that he and Tobi sold the stolen electrical cable at the cost of N3000 and shared the money at N1500 each while Tobi took the bags of potato.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravene the provision of Sections 516, 249 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. ii, Law of Oyo State, 2000.

(NAN)