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An Akure Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ondo State has sentenced a 26-year-old man, Samuel Douglass, to 12 months in prison for stealing four baskets of fresh tomatoes worth ₦140,000.
Douglass was brought before Magistrate Olusola Olujobi on a one-count charge bordering on theft.
The prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, informed the court that the crime took place in July 2026 at approximately 6:00 a.m. around the Fourth Gate area of Afunbiowo Estate, Akure.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Abimbola Akintomide, had assigned Douglass to deliver four baskets of fresh tomatoes to a commercial driver at Ilesa Garage. Instead of completing the delivery, Douglass sold the produce and converted the proceeds to his personal use.
The prosecutor noted that the stolen produce was valued at ₦140,000, adding that the convict’s offense violated Section 390(6) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
Appealing for leniency, defense counsel Adeluyi Segun highlighted that Douglass was a first-time offender, urging the magistrate to exercise mercy and grant an option of a fine.
In her judgment, Magistrate Olujobi sentenced Douglass to 12 months imprisonment and directed him to refund the sum of ₦140,000 to the complainant, ruling that failure to make the restitution would require serving the full prison term.
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