A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sentenced a teacher, Adebayo Osayemi, to two years imprisonment with hard labor for stealing his employer’s phone and money, totaling N237,000.
Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Latunji stated that Osayemi’s conviction was based on his guilty plea and the evidence presented by the police. She further ruled out any option of a fine for the convict.
“Osayemi is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor, without any option of fine,” Latunji declared.
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Oluseye Akinola, the incident occurred on January 13 at No. 3, Church Street, Behind Fagbemi Filling Station, Orita-Challenge, Ibadan.
Osayemi, who worked at Montesseri Gofas Nursery and Primary School, took advantage of his employer’s brief absence to commit the crime.
The complainant, Funmilayo Adesinmi, proprietress of the school, reportedly stepped out of her office to buy foodstuffs, leaving three children behind.
Osayemi seized the opportunity to enter her office and steal €20 (equivalent to N35,000) and a Techno Smart 4 phone valued at N95,000.
In addition to the theft of physical items, Osayemi also transferred N82,000 and N25,000 from Adesinmi’s Money Point and First Bank accounts to his Opay and UBA accounts, respectively.
Adesinmi’s daughter witnessed Osayemi entering the office, and upon her mother’s return, the theft was discovered. A police investigation subsequently led to Osayemi’s arrest and conviction.
The prosecutor stated that Osayemi’s actions contravened Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Law of Oyo State 2000, which deals with theft.
The conviction highlights the legal system’s zero tolerance for theft and other crimes that breach trust, especially in sensitive environments such as schools.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in professional relationships and the consequences of criminal actions in the workplace.