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A magistrates' court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, sentenced a mother and daughter to six months in jail for stealing a sack of ponmo, stockfish, and dry meat worth N1 million. The court found them guilty of theft and conspiracy, ordering them to refund N100,000 each before accessing a fine option.

A magistrates’ court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced a woman, Falilatu Amidu, and her daughter, Ayisatu, to six months in prison for theft. The duo was found guilty of stealing a sack containing stockfish, dry ponmo, and dry cow meat worth N1 million, belonging to a trader, Kafayat Alao.

According to the prosecution, Falilatu had been assisting the victim in transporting goods from her store at Lafenwa Market. However, in August 2024, she was asked to retrieve some items but failed to return them. When Alao went to check, she discovered both Falilatu and a large sack of dried meat missing.

Investigations revealed that Falilatu had taken the goods and handed them over to her daughter, Ayisatu, who knowingly accepted and attempted to sell them. The police charged them with conspiracy and theft under sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Ogun State Criminal Code.

Presiding over the case, Magistrate O.O. Odumosu ruled that the evidence provided by the prosecution proved their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She sentenced each of them to six months in prison with an option of a N5,000 fine. Additionally, they were ordered to refund N100,000 each to the complainant before they could access the fine option.

The case has sparked public debate, with some questioning the severity of the punishment compared to other criminal cases involving larger sums of money.