A 22-year-old man, Dipo Femi, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, for his involvement in conspiracy, burglary, and theft.

Femi’s sentences will run concurrently from the day of his arrest, totaling seven years each for three charges (21 years) and three years each for two charges (six years).

He was arraigned on July 19, 2022, facing five counts related to conspiracy, burglary, and other offenses, as outlined in Sections 421, 324, and 302 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

According to the charge, Femi and accomplices, currently at large, broke into the shops of Victor Mark, Clement Moses, and Samuel Lucky on March 14, 2022, at 5:30 a.m. at Oke Ureje, Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti. They stole various items including men’s and ladies’ wears, jewelry, footwear, a cash sum of N200,000, perfumes, body spray, and fez caps, valued at N2.150m.

The prosecution, represented by Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, presented four witnesses and submitted the defendant’s statements and bond as exhibits. Femi’s defense, led by counsel Chris Omokhafe, did not call any witnesses.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye stated, “I will not hesitate to hold that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the basic elements of stealing against the defendant and I so hold.” She sentenced Femi to seven years imprisonment for each of counts 1, 2, and 4 (conspiracy and burglary), and three years imprisonment for counts 3 and 5. The sentences will run concurrently from the date of arrest.