In a heartfelt moment at the Osun State Chief Magistrates' Court, an aluminium worker, Sunday Ejoh, admitted to stealing three tubers of yam, citing hunger as his motivation. On Monday, September 23, Ejoh, who lacked legal representation, was sentenced to six months in prison for the crime.
Appearing before Magistrate M. Olatunji in Osogbo, Ejoh faced a single charge of theft. The yams he stole were valued at N3,000 and belonged to one Oluwole Durojaye.
Prosecutor Jacob Akintunde told the court, "On September 22, 2024, Sunday Ejoh stole three yam tubers valued at N3,000 from Oluwole Durojaye." The prosecutor also mentioned that a cutlass and a pair of slippers were recovered from the defendant during his arrest.
The crime, Akintunde pointed out, is in violation of Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, 2002.
Ejoh, who had no lawyer, did not deny the charges. Instead, he pleaded guilty, expressing the dire circumstances that led him to the act. "I was hungry, and I have a family to feed," he explained in court.
After hearing the case, Magistrate Olatunji found Ejoh guilty and sentenced him to six months in prison, giving him the option of paying a N25,000 fine. The court also ordered that the stolen yams be returned to their rightful owner.
