Abeokuta Court Jails Woman, Daughter for Theft of Dried Meat, Ponmo Worth N1 Million

 

A Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on Friday, sentenced a middle-aged woman, Falilatu Amidu, and her daughter, Ayisatu Amidu, to six months in prison for the theft of dried ponmo (cow skin), stockfish, and dried meat, all valued at N1 million.

The duo, who reside in the Ago-Oko area of Abeokuta, were convicted on two counts of conspiracy and stealing. However, the court, presided over by Magistrate O.O. Odumosu, offered them an option of a N5,000 fine. The fine, however, comes with a crucial condition—the convicts must first refund N100,000 each to the complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, as restitution before being allowed to pay the fine.

How It All Unfolded

According to the prosecution led by Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi, the incident took place in August 2024 at the Lafenwa market in Abeokuta. The complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, a trader dealing in dried food items, had requested Falilatu, who occasionally assisted her in carrying goods, to transport some stock from her store to her sales point.

Trusting Falilatu, the complainant handed her the responsibility of picking up some items. However, after waiting for more than an hour without seeing Falilatu, Mrs. Alao decided to check on her at the store.

To her shock, neither Falilatu nor the large sack containing stockfish, ponmo, and dried cow meat was anywhere to be found. Realizing she had been deceived, she raised an alarm, and the matter was reported to the authorities.

Further investigation revealed that Falilatu had stolen the goods and handed them over to her daughter, Ayisatu, who was aware of their origin and helped her mother sell them. The stolen items, valued at approximately N1 million, were never recovered in full.

Court’s Verdict

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the mother and daughter had indeed conspired to commit the theft.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Odumosu found both women guilty and sentenced them to six months behind bars. However, she offered them an alternative—pay a N5,000 fine each but only after reimbursing Mrs. Alao with N100,000 each as part of restitution.

“The evidence before this court is clear. The convicts not only stole but also made an attempt to benefit from stolen goods. The court, therefore, finds them guilty and sentences them accordingly,” Odumosu ruled.

Legal Implications

The prosecutor noted that the actions of Falilatu and Ayisatu were in violation of Sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006. These sections cover conspiracy to commit an offense, stealing, and receiving stolen goods, all of which the court found applicable in this case.

While the restitution condition offers them an opportunity to regain their freedom sooner, the ruling sends a strong message about the consequences of theft, particularly within the trading community.

Market Community Reacts

Following the court’s verdict, traders in Lafenwa market expressed mixed reactions. Some commended the justice system for swiftly addressing the matter, while others felt the sentence was too lenient given the financial loss incurred by the complainant.

“This should serve as a lesson to others. People like them make it difficult for traders to trust anyone,” said one trader.

Another market woman, however, sympathized with the convicts, saying, “Times are hard, but stealing is never the way out. I hope they learn from this and turn over a new leaf.”

With the case now concluded, attention shifts to whether the convicts will be able to raise the N100,000 restitution each to avoid serving their full sentence.