An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Ogun State, has sentenced a mother and daughter, Falilatu Amidu and Ayisatu Amidu, to six months imprisonment each for stealing dried ponmo, stockfish, and dried meat worth N1 million.
The duo, who reside in the Ago-Oko area of Abeokuta, were convicted on two counts of conspiracy and stealing.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Magistrate O. Odumosu ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing the guilt of the defendants.
Odumosu sentenced them to six months imprisonment each but gave them the option of a N5,000 fine.
She further ordered them to refund N100,000 each to the complainant before they could exercise the fine option.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi, told the court that the offence was committed in August 2024 at Lafenwa Market, Abeokuta.
According to him, Falilatu, who used to assist the complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, in transporting goods from her store, conspired with her daughter to steal a sack containing stockfish, dried ponmo, and cow meat.
“The complainant asked her to help pick some goods from the store. After waiting for over an hour without seeing her, she went to check. On getting there, Falilatu was nowhere to be found, and a big bag containing dried meat, ponmo, and stockfish had disappeared,” Fawunmi said.
Investigations revealed that Falilatu handed the stolen goods to her daughter, Ayisatu, who attempted to sell them despite knowing they were stolen.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Ogun State Criminal Code Laws of 2006.
