By Tunde Olamilekan
An Osun State Magistrate Court sitting in Ila-Orangun has sentenced a 29-year-old man, Olaniyan Taofik, to two years in prison for unlawful entry, theft, and malicious property damage.
Toafiq was charged to court after he was arrested by operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps after a report of theft on a private farm.
He was accused of unlawfully entering the farmland of one Mr Omidoyin Clement of Isale-Osun, Ila-Orangun, on July 16, 2025.
According to a statement by the spokesperson for Osun Amotekun, Yusuf Idowu, the Prosecuting counsel, Oyedele Akintayo who is the Director of Legal Services for the Osun Amotekun Corps, during proceedings, told the court that the convict stole farm tools, cocoa, bananas, walnuts, and live catfish, with a total value of about ₦400,000.
The prosecution also alleged that Taofiq destroyed a CCTV surveillance camera on the property, causing an additional ₦300,000 worth of damage.
The prosecutor added that Taofiq was arrested while attempting to sell the stolen items.
He noted that the offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 81, 390(9), and 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
In his ruling, Magistrate A.A. Ayeni declared that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding the defendant guilty of offences.
Magistrate Ayeni stressed that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to habitual offenders and protect the livelihoods of farmers, especially in rural communities.