A Magistrate Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced two brothers, Emeka Okenwa, 35, and Anayo Okenwa, 40, to 18 months in jail for stealing six buses.
The brothers, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, were convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft.
The prosecutor, Phillip Osijiale, had told the court that the convicts committed the offences sometime in August 2010 at Sera Faboyede St. in Bucknor Ejigbo, near Lagos.
Mr. Osijiale, a police inspector, said the duo turned the compound of their rented apartment into a park of stolen buses in the guise of a mechanic workshop.
He disclosed that the brothers usually invited mechanics, who always helped them to dismantle and remove the parts of the buses for sale at Ladipo Market in Mushin.
He said neighbours who noticed their dubious activities informed the police.
“The police during the course of investigation found out that the brothers usually stole the buses from where their owners parked them and brought them to their residence to be dismantled,” he said.
He said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 (A), Cap 37, Vol. II, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 20011.
The magistrate, Memunat Folami, said: “with all the evidence before me, the court finds you guilty and sentences the two of you to one year and six months imprisonment each with hard labour without an option of fine.”
Ms. Folami told the convicts to learn from their misdeeds, turn a new leaf and find honest means of livelihood after serving their terms.
She advised members of the public to be conscious of what was happening around them and report when necessary to the relevant authorities.
NAN
