Kwara teenager jailed one year for arson

A Kwara State Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, on Monday, sentenced an 18-year-old boy, Olawumi Olamide, to one-year imprisonment for setting a three-bedroom bungalow on fire after stealing foodstuffs and a Plasma TV.

Olawumi was found guilty by the court presided over by Magistrate M.A. Yahaya who ordered him to spend one year in jail at the Federal Correctional Centre, Mandala in Asa Local Government Area.

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, on Monday, September 30, arraigned Olawumi for allegedly setting a building on fire after stealing items belonging to the occupants.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Kwara Command, ASC Ayoola Michael, “On Monday, September 30, 2024, the Kwara State Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate M.A. Yahaya, found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to one year in the Mandala Correctional Centre without the option of a fine.

According to Metro reports that on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 1200hrs, the suspect broke into the three-bedroom bungalow belonging to Mrs. Bolatito Adebayo at Afenifere Community, Onireke, Upper Gaa Akanbi in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

“During the invasion, he reportedly stole items such as foodstuffs, groceries, and clothing, and subsequently set the residential building ablaze.

“Upon being apprehended at the scene, the suspect attempted to evade capture by igniting the fire as a diversion and stabbed a guard in the area to prevent his arrest. Despite his efforts, he was ultimately captured and handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution.”

Olawumi pleaded guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and arson and said that three of them were involved in the crime adding that the rest two escaped and were now at large.

The presiding Magistrate, Yahaya, pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to one-year improvement with hard labour.

Ayoola said that the NSCDC Kwara State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, reiterated the corps’ relentless onslaught against criminal activities in the state and vowed to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.