An Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court, Ikere-Ekiti Division has sentenced 23-year-old Emmanuel Ekundayo to one-year imprisonment for stealing mobile phones belonging to some students of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti.

Ekundayo, who claimed to be a student of a polytechnic in the state, was arraigned before Magistrate Dotun Omoteye on one count of stealing and was convicted.

A statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Temitope Akinbisoye, made available to journalists on Thursday in Ikere Ekiti stated that Ekundayo committed the offence on the university campus on July 17, 2023.

Akinbisoye stated, “The culprit was apprehended on July 17, 2023, during one of the 2022/2023 first semester examinations at the library lecture theatre while ransacking the bags of students sitting for examinations.

“He pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted by the magistrate on the strength of the evidence before the court, though with an option of N50,000 fine.”

Speaking after the judgment, the university’s acting Director of Legal Matters, Busuyi Jayeoba, said the development would serve as a deterrent to others.

PUNCH