A Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced a mother and daughter, Falilatu Amidu and Ayisatu Amidu, to six months in prison each for stealing dried cow skin (ponmo), stockfish, and dried meat worth N1 million.
The court found them guilty of conspiracy and theft. Presiding Magistrate O. Odumosu ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, both defendants were sentenced to six months in prison. However, they were given the option to pay a N5,000 fine each. Additionally, the court mandated that they repay N100,000 each to the complainant as restitution before they could be eligible for the fine option.
During the trial, Prosecutor Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi stated that the crime took place in August 2024 at Lafenwa Market. According to the prosecution, Falilatu and her daughter conspired to steal a large sack filled with stockfish, dried ponmo, and dried cow meat belonging to Mrs. Kafayat Alao.
Falilatu had been assisting Alao in transporting goods from her store to the market. On the day of the incident, Alao had asked Falilatu to collect goods from the store. However, after waiting for over an hour without seeing her, Alao went to check, only to discover that both Falilatu and a sack containing the dried goods were missing.
Investigations revealed that Falilatu had stolen the goods and handed them over to her daughter, Ayisatu, who knowingly accepted and attempted to sell them.
The prosecution stated that their actions violated Sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Ogun State Criminal Code Laws of 2006.
