An Ondo State Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of the state, has handed a 21-year prison sentence to a man named Olushola Olatunde for stealing from several churches.
Olatunde was apprehended by officers of the state police command on two occasions—December 8 and 24, 2024—after being implicated in thefts at the Revelation of God Miracle Church. Among the stolen items were cash, a public address system, an iron rod, and other valuables, collectively valued at ₦1,340,900.
Subsequently, he was charged and brought before the court to face six counts related to theft and unlawful entry. Olatunde admitted guilt to all charges.
During the proceedings, the prosecutor, D.S. Msonter-Shagba, detailed Olatunde’s offences, which spanned December 24, 2024, to January 8, 2025, at various locations in Akure. On December 24, at No. 17 Plaza Road, Isolo, Akure, Olatunde broke into the Revelation of God Miracle Church, where he stole a 16-channel live series audio mixer valued at ₦250,000 and a public address system worth the same amount.
The same day, he burglarized the Garden of Faith Church at No. 7 Ore-Ofe Street, Oke Ijebu, Akure, taking items such as an amplifier worth ₦230,000, a 6.5kVA generator priced at ₦250,000, two pieces of 12mm iron rods worth ₦19,600, and an iron tithe box valued at ₦35,000. These items totaled ₦534,600 in value.
Additionally, Olatunde was accused of stealing 33 bags of cement valued at ₦306,900 from Shasha Market on Kilometre 12, Owo Express Road, Akure, also on December 24. In total, the stolen items amounted to ₦1,340,900.
The prosecutor explained that the crimes violated Sections 383, 390(9), 415, and 413(2) of the Ondo State Criminal Code of 2006.
Delivering his judgment, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni found Olatunde guilty on all six counts. The court imposed four-year prison terms for counts one, two, three, five, and six, while count four attracted a one-year sentence. However, the magistrate ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning Olatunde will serve a total of four years in prison.
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