Falana Condemns 3-Year Jail Term for Osun Mechanic Over 17 Tubers of Yam

The three-year prison sentence handed to a 28-year-old auto mechanic, Akeem Jimoh, for stealing 17 tubers of yam worth ₦35,000, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN.

                               

Jimoh was arraigned before an Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty and begged for forgiveness, explaining that he stole out of hunger.

Despite his plea, presiding Magistrate Muibah Olatunji sentenced him to three years in prison with hard labor, without the option of a fine.

Falana condemned the ruling as “inhumane and economically wasteful.”

“It is high time Nigeria adopted a humane sentencing policy. How does it make sense for the government to spend taxpayers’ money feeding and housing a convict jailed for stealing food items worth ₦35,000?” he asked.

He noted that in many countries, petty theft driven by hunger is addressed through social assistance systems rather than harsh criminal penalties.

Falana confirmed that his legal team has already filed an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence, seeking to overturn what he described as a disproportionate punishment.