Nigeria Content Online

An Ibadan
Magistrate Court sentenced two men on Tuesday to one year imprisonment
for breaking into the house of late Bola Ige, carting away valuables
worth about N20 million.

The convicts, Felix
Nwagwu, 30, and Olajide Olumo, 36, were found guilty of three count
charge of conspiracy to steal, entering with intention of stealing, and
stealing of properties of the Ige household.

While delivering
her judgment in Ibadan yesterday, the magistrate, Sofiat Oyediran, said
the evidence before the court proved beyond reasonable doubt that the
two men really committed the offence, and found them guilty as charged.

She sentenced each
them to one year on each of the count without option of fine and
ordered that the sentence run concurrently with hard labour.

Former staff

Mr Nwagwu was a
guard at the Solemnia Court, the Old Bodija Ibadan residence of late Mr
Ige, while Mr Oluwo was said to be a guard at the house of late
Minister of Justice’s architect son, Muyiwa Ige.

The two were arraigned on May 28, 2008 when a police inspector, Sunday Ogunremi, brought them for prosecution.

The two had
consistently stolen valuables from Mr Ige’s house for about six months,
between October 2007 and May 4, 2008, before they were caught.

Few of the items
stolen and recovered from them were used as evidence against them.
Reacting to the judgment yesterday, Mr Ige’s son expressed gratitude to
the court for committing the young men to prison over the act.

“After three years
of trial, it appears that there is a semblance of justice. At least, in
the sentencing of the accused persons, the judgment will serve as a
deterrent.

“I appreciate the magistrate for a well researched judgment. That
will send a message to criminals that crime does not pay. Though we had
hoped for a harsher judgment, the fact that the accused persons have
been convicted and sent to prison will teach them lessons,” he said.