19-Year-Old Cobbler Bags 18-Months jail Term For Stealing Phone

A 19-year-old cobbler, Henry Mohammed, has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by an Osun State Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo.

Mohammed was arraigned on two counts of burglary and stealing by the police.

The Magistrate, Mr Isola Omisade, while delivering judgment on Monday held that the teenager was guilty of the charges against him.

He convicted Mohammed and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment without an option of fine.

The prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun, had told the court that the convict unlawfully broke into the shop of one Titilayo Albert where he stole one Infinix Hot 8 phone valued at N 37,000.

He said the incident happened on August 22, 2020, at about 05:00pm at Railway Line, Behind First Bank, Aregbe Area of Osogbo.

He said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 390 (a) and 414 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II. Laws of Osun State.

Mohammed pleaded guilty to the counts.

He told the court that he is a cobbler and he came to visit his friend in Osogbo but unfortunately for him, when he arrived, the phone number of his friend was not available any more.
He said this made him to become stranded as he did not have anywhere to turn go.

The defendant was represented in court by Mr Kehinde Adepoju who urged the court to temper justice with mercy because he was a first time offender and young.