Ondo Bricklayer Sentenced To 21 Years For Stealing Church Tithe Box
A 38-year-old bricklayer, Olushola Olatunde, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison by a Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State, for stealing a church tithe box and other items valued at over ₦1.34 million.
The State Prosecutor, D.S. Msonter-Shagba, revealed that Olatunde broke into multiple locations, including the Revelation of God Miracle Church in Isolo, Akure, between December 24, 2024, and January 8, 2025.
At the Revelation of God Miracle Church, he stole a tithe box containing ₦1.34 million, a 16-channel live series audio mixer worth ₦250,000, and a public address system valued at ₦250,000.
In a separate incident on January 8, 2025, Olatunde burgled the Garden of Faith (CAC) Church in Oke Ijebu, Akure. He took an amplifier worth ₦230,000, a 6.5kV generator valued at ₦250,000, two lengths of 12mm rods worth ₦19,600, and an iron tithe box valued at ₦35,000—totaling ₦534,600.
Additionally, he stole 33 bags of cement valued at ₦306,900 from Shasha Market, Kilometre 12, Owo Express Road, Akure, on December 24, 2024.
Olatunde faced a six-count charge, including breaking, illegal entry, and theft, contrary to Sections 383, 390(9), 415, and 413(2) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
While he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Olatunde admitted to selling the stolen items and appealed for leniency.
Delivering the judgment, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni sentenced Olatunde to four years’ imprisonment each on counts one, two, three, five, and six, and one year for count four. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Olatunde will serve a total of four years.
Magistrate Sekoni emphasized that the punishment was intended to deter others from engaging in similar crimes.
The case underscores the commitment of Ondo State authorities to upholding justice and protecting religious institutions and other establishments from criminal activities.
