Ogona Anita
In a case that underscores the dire economic challenges faced by some Nigerians, a 32-year-old mechanic, Adebayo Oluwaseun, was sentenced to three years imprisonment by an Osun State Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for stealing tubers of yam from his neighbor. The court described the act as a desperate response to hunger but emphasized the need to uphold the law.
‎The incident occurred on August 15, 2025, in the Oke-Baale area of Osogbo, where Adebayo was caught stealing yam tubers valued at ₦10,000 from the farm of his neighbor, Mr. Kolawole Adeyemi. According to the prosecution, Adebayo confessed to the crime, stating that he was driven by hunger and inability to afford food for his family.
‎The defendant’s actions were borne out of desperation, but the law must take its course to deter others
‎Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Funmilayo Adebayo, noted that while the court sympathized with the defendant’s plight, theft could not be excused, as it violated the rights of others. “The defendant’s actions were borne out of desperation, but the law must take its course to deter others,” she stated during the ruling. Adebayo, who pleaded guilty, was given no option of a fine and will serve his sentence at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.
‎The case has sparked conversations in Osun and beyond about the rising cost of living and food insecurity in Nigeria. Local residents expressed mixed feelings, with some sympathizing with Adebayo’s situation and others condemning his actions. “It’s hunger that pushed him to this, but stealing is not the answer,” said a local trader, Mrs. Funke Adegoke.
‎It’s hunger that pushed him to this, but stealing is not the answer
‎This incident comes amid growing concerns over food scarcity in parts of Nigeria, exacerbated by inflation and economic hardship. Authorities have yet to comment on broader measures to address such issues, as cases like Adebayo’s highlight the human toll of economic challenges.
