Ajagun Ode of Ode community, Oba Adewale Sunday Boboye in Akure North local government area of Ondo state, has received a 10-year imprisonment sentence from an Osi Magistrate’s Court for the unlawful demolition of palm trees and food crops.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Bukola Ojo, found him guilty of the six-count charge of felony.
Sergeant Ajiboye Babatunde presented the case and reported that the defendant demolished the perimeter fence of a church along Ado Ekiti Road Igoba, Akure North, and unlawfully demolished palm trees, food crops, and the signpost of the church which was valued about 1 million naira.
Four witnesses testified in court, and the prosecutor urged the court to punish the defendant accordingly.
The offence contravened sections 516, 451, 249(d) and 81 of the Criminal Code Cap 7 vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.
The defendant, represented by counsel Adeola Kayode, denied the allegations and appealed for mercy.
Consequently, the Magistrate sentenced the defendant to an imprisonment term of two years in count one with an option of N20, 000 fines.
He received two years each in count two and three each with no option of fines, and one year in count six with an option of N20, 000.
On count five, the defendant received an imprisonment term of two years with no option of fines.
The welfare committee of the community is to award N5m naira as compensation for the damage of the perimeter fence, palm trees and other crops.
The court sentenced the defendant to an imprisonment term of ten years to run concurrently.
It noted that if the defendant satisfies compensation, the imprisonments would become vacated.
The court also told the defendant that due to his actions, he has hindered the progress of his community’s development, and the church and owners of the destroyed crops have lost their source of livelihoods.
Therefore, the defendant’s sentencing would serve as a deterrent to warn others against engaging in similar acts and the need to promote peace and harmony.
