A magistrates’ court in Akure, Ondo State, has sentenced a bricklayer, Olushola Olatunde, to 21 years in prison for breaking into a church and stealing a metal tithe box. Olatunde was convicted for stealing the tithe box and other items valued at N1,340,900.
The accused faced six counts, including breaking and entering, as well as theft. According to the prosecutor, D. S. Msonter-Shagba, the crimes took place between December 24, 2024, and January 8, 2025, at different locations in Akure.
On December 24, 2024, Olatunde broke into the Revelation of God Miracle Church on Plaza Road and stole a 16-channel audio mixer worth N250,000 and a public address system, also valued at N250,000. On December 8, 2024, at the Garden of Faith (CAC) Church in Oke Ijebu, he stole items including an amplifier valued at N230,000, a 6.5kV generator valued at N250,000, two lengths of 12mm rods worth N19,600, and an iron tithe box valued at N35,000. These items amounted to N534,600.
The prosecutor also revealed that on December 24, 2024, Olatunde stole 33 bags of cement, valued at N306,900, from Shasha Market in Akure. The total value of the stolen goods was N1,340,900.
Olatunde admitted to selling some of the stolen items but pleaded for leniency. Magistrate Damilola Sekoni sentenced him to 21 years in prison without the option of a fine.
