I Was Hungry – Man speaks after being sentenced to jail for stealing yam tubers

Theft of three yam tubers got Sunday Ejoh, an aluminum worker, six months in prison on Monday, September 23, by the Osun State Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osogbo.

One count of theft of the N3,000 yam was brought against Ejoh when he stood before Magistrate Mr. M. Olatunji.

The judge in charge of the case, Mr. Jacob Akintunde, said, “On September 22, 2024, Ejoh did steal three tubers of yam worth N3,000 that belonged to Oluwole Durojaye.”

The prosecution said that the offender was caught with the stolen tubers, a cutlass, and a pair of shoes.

He also said that the crime was against “Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Law of Osun State, Nigeria 2002” and was punishable by law.

Since Mr. Ejoh didn’t have a lawyer, he pleaded guilty and said that he did it because he was hungry.

“I was hungry, and I have a family,” he told the court.

In his decision, Magistrate Olatunji said that the offender was guilty and gave him a punishment of “six months’ imprisonment with an option of a N25,000 fine.”

Olatunji also said that the yam that was stolen should be given back to its owner.