Man bags three-year jail term for stealing ₦200,000 solar streetlight in Ogun

By Adebola Muili

A 36-year-old man, Anthony Cephas, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for stealing a solar-powered streetlight valued at ₦200,000 along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway in Ogun State.

The conviction followed his arrest by detectives of the Sagamu Division of the Ogun State Police Command, who recovered the stolen streetlight and its solar panel from him.

The Ogun State Police Command disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the suspect was apprehended on October 30, 2026, at about 9pm in the Mayegun area of Sagamu, following the theft of the public infrastructure.

Court documents showed that Cephas was arraigned before the Sagamu Magistrate Court on November 2, 2026, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing the solar-powered streetlight.

The charge, instituted by the Commissioner of Police against the defendant, stated that he stole the streetlight, valued at ₦200,000, along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway within the Sagamu Magisterial District on or before October 30, 2026.

It further established that the streetlight was the property of the Federal Government of Nigeria but was in the care and custody of Aladiye Community Development Association (CDA), represented by one Godwin Okwugo.

The defendant was charged under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006, for the offence.

Following his guilty plea, the court convicted him and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment with an option of fine.

The police had earlier said that the stolen streetlight and its accompanying solar panel were recovered during the arrest, adding that the prosecution followedh diligent investigation by detectives of the Sagamu Division.

The development highlights the growing concern over the theft of public infrastructure, particularly facilities provided to improve security and enhance the living conditions of residents and road users.