An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday sentenced a Beninoise food vendor, Janet Kenu, to six years imprisonment for being an accessory to burglary.
Magistrate A. T. Omoyele convicted Kenu for being an accessory to the theft of jewellery worth N40 million, cash sums of $5,250 and £5,000 belonging to the complainant, Mr. Ajisola Yomi.
She sentenced Kenu to two years imprisonment each on three separate charges of accessory to burglary and accessory to stealing.
The court, however, found the defendant not guilty on one count charge of failure to prevent house breaking and stealing.
The sentences, which were without an option of a fine, will run concurrently, meaning the food vendor will spend only two years in jail.
Kenu, of Otodo Gbame community, near Lekki, Lagos, was arraigned on July 21 last year on four- count charge of accessory to burglary and stealing and “deliberate neglect to prevent the commission or completion of house breaking and stealing.”
Prosecuting police officer, Sgt. Cyriacus Osuji, said Kenu and her accomplices, who are at large, committed the offences at about 12:00 a.m. on March 10, 2016 at A19, NICON Town Estate, Lekki.
He said Kenu’s accomplices burgled Yomi’s home while he was away and carted away properties including jewellery and foreign currencies.
According to him, the offences contravened sections 16(1) (b), 19, 285, 305(b) of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2011 and punishable under same.
Kenu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the trial, the convict told the court that she had never partaken in any such crime since she arrived in Nigeria “during former President Shehu Shagari’s administration.”
Kenu accused the police of arresting and prosecuting her in place of her teenage son, who was employed by the complainant.