Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has publicly criticized the imposition of a three-year custodial sentence with hard labor on Akeem Jimoh, a 28-year-old auto mechanic convicted for the theft of yam valued at ₦35,000 in Osun State.
Jimoh was convicted on Wednesday by the Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court upon entering a guilty plea to a one-count charge of theft.
When questioned as to his motive, the defendant explained that he stole 17 tubers of yam out of hunger and, accordingly, pleaded with the court for leniency.
However, the presiding magistrate, Muibah Olatunji, sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, and with the additional burden of hard labor.
Commenting on the custodial sentence, Femi Falana, SAN, in a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH, condemned the ruling and called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s sentencing policy to ensure greater humanity and proportionality in the administration of criminal justice.
Falana questioned the rationale behind expending scarce public resources on the incarceration of individuals convicted of petty offences, such as the theft of food occasioned by hunger.
According to him:
“It is imperative that the sentencing framework in this country be rendered more humane. Why should the State be compelled to expend limited funds on the feeding, housing, and medical care of a convict imprisoned for the theft of tubers of yam valued at ₦35,000? Judicial officers ought to be reminded that, in several capitalist jurisdictions, it is no longer treated as a crime where impoverished persons take food solely to sustain themselves and their families.”
Falana further disclosed that legal steps were already underway, stating:
“We have instructed counsel to file an appeal against both the conviction and the three-year custodial sentence imposed on Akeem Jimoh.”#newsafro_
