Bolaji Elesho, 40, and her son Bidemi Elesho, 24, were sentenced to four years in prison on Thursday by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for burglary and theft of cartons of cigarettes and some other provisions items.

Due to the seriousness of the crime, the Magistrate, Mr. Asimiyu Adebayo, sentenced the defendants to the Ilesa Correctional Centre.

Bolaji, on the other hand, was ordered to pay a fine of N15,000 or serve a four-year prison sentence, while her son was ordered to pay a fine of N100,000 or serve a four-year prison sentence.

The two had pleaded guilty to a four-count conspiracy, stealing, and burglary allegation that had been brought against them.

The convicts committed the offense on Sept. 27, at 4:30 a.m., between Araromi Community, Owode Ilesa road, and Oja-Oba area, Osogbo, according to the Police Prosecutor, Insp Rasak Olayiwola.

Bidemi (Son) allegedly broke into the store of one Nafisat Adeyeye and stole cigarettes and other goods before being apprehended with his conspirator (mother) and taken to court, according to Olayiwola.

“They stole four packets of cigarettes which cost N16,000, two packets of Bohem Cigarettes costing N8,000, two cartoons of Rezler and two cartons of peak milk valued at N16,000,” the police said.

“Others include toothpaste, two sachets of yoghurt among other items valued at N151,000.”

Bidemi, according to Olayiwola, stole cartons of cigarettes and other items from the complainant’s shop in Oja-Oba and delivered them to his mother in Owode Ilesa.

Bidemi and Bolaji were spotted by vigilance security after receiving the items from her son, he said, and they were interrogated before admitting to stealing the items.

According to the prosecutor, the offense violated sections 516, 413, 390 (9) and 430 of the criminal code of Osun, Cap 34, vol. 11 laws of 2002.

When their case was summoned and read by the court clerk, the offenders had no legal representation.