By Our Correspondent.
A 22 year old applicant ,Balogun Emmanuel who had spent four months at the Federal Prison Agodi Ibadan over alleged attempted stealing has been discharged by an Ibadan Chief Magisrtates Court.
Chief Magistrate Oladele Adisa in his ruling observed that the complainant was no longer interested in the trial of the defendant and therefore set him free.
Though he was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in the like sum on his arraignment for felony and house breaking,he could not get a surety thereby forcing him to stay in prison custodycustody as the trial lasts
When Emmanuel appeared before Chief magistrate, on Monday he prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, i nsisting that he neither attempted to break into the house nor steal any property therein
The defendant further told the court that he came to Ibadan from Owo,in Ondo State to seek for greener pasture when he was apprehended for attempted burglary ladding that that he was man of good character and conduct
The prosecutor, Mr.Shalewa Hammed had earlier told the court that the complaint had not shown the willingness to press charges against the accused, saying this had reflected in his ( complaint 's) appearance for only once since the commencement of the trial four months ago
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Adisa discharge and acquitted Emmanuel and ordered him to immediately processed to his home town Owo, report himself to his parents and henceforth be of good conduct wherein
"You must immediately travel back to where you came from (owo) and report yourself to your parents. You must also be of good conduct. I must tell you that you must go and sin no more. If, you are brought before this court again for committing any offence I can assure you that you may not be this lucky" he said
The judgment prompted lawyers, journalists and those in the court room to contribute a total sum of N3,600 to facilitate his return to his home town after he broke down in tears with claims that he didn't have any money on him.
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