In an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court session on Thursday, a 45-year-old traditional healer named Micheal Oyewole received a 12-month prison sentence for the killing of his neighbor’s cow.
Residing in the Araromi Alakaloko Olomore area of Abeokuta, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the three charges of conspiracy, theft, and willful and unlawful slaughter of a cow.
Despite Oyewole’s plea, Magistrate O.O. Odumosu concluded that the prosecution sufficiently established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt concerning the offense.
For the theft charge, Oyewole was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of N10,000. Additionally, he received a six-month term for intentionally and unlawfully slaughtering the cow.
The magistrate ruled that the defendant could opt for the fine payment only upon compensating the complainant with N400,000, representing the value of the slaughtered cow. The sentence was to be served concurrently.
Prior to the ruling, ASP Olakunle Shonibare, the Prosecution Counsel, informed the court that the defendant committed the crime on June 3, around 11:00 pm in Alakoloko Unique Estate Olomore, Abeokuta.
Shonibare detailed that the defendant, in collaboration with others who remain at large, stole a cow valued at N400,000, belonging to Mr. Hakeem Ominrinde.
The offense was in violation of sections 516, 383, and 450 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.
(NAN)
