A 38-year-old bricklayer, Olushola Olatunde, was sentenced to 21 years in prison by an Akure Magistrate Court for stealing valuable items from churches in Ondo State.
Olatunde was arrested on December 8 and 24, 2024, after he was caught stealing items including money, a public address system, and construction materials, totaling N1,340,900 in value.
Olatunde pleaded guilty to six charges of stealing and illegal entry.
According to the state prosecutor, D.S. Msonter-Shagba, the defendant broke into several churches in Akure during late December 2024 and early January 2025.
Notably, on December 24, he stole a 16-channel live series audio mixer and public address system from the Revelation of God Miracle Church.
Later the same day, he broke into the Garden of Faith Church, stealing an amplifier, a generator, and other items. In addition to the church thefts, Olatunde also stole cement bags valued at N306,900 from a market in the city.
During the trial, the prosecutor emphasized that the offenses committed violated several sections of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State.
The court ruled that Olatunde would serve a 21-year sentence, with the terms of his sentence to run concurrently.
Under this ruling, Olatunde will spend four years in the correctional facility. Magistrate Damilola Sekoni noted that the severity of the crimes warranted a strong punishment, especially considering the multiple instances of theft.