An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State has sentenced a middle-aged woman, Falilatu Amidu, and her daughter, Ayisatu Amidu, to six months in prison for stealing dry ponmo (cow skin), stockfish, and dried meat valued at N1 million. The mother and daughter, who reside in the Ago-Oko area of Abeokuta, were convicted on charges of conspiracy and theft.
However, the court gave them an option of paying a fine of N5,000 each, provided they refunded N100,000 to the complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, as restitution before being allowed to pay the fine.
The two women were arrested for stealing goods from Mrs. Alao, a trader in Lafenwa Market, Abeokuta. The theft occurred in August 2024, when Falilatu, who had previously helped Mrs. Alao carry goods from her store, was entrusted with a large sack containing stockfish, dried cow skin (ponmo), and dried meat, all worth about N1 million. According to the prosecution, Falilatu conspired with her daughter Ayisatu to steal the goods and sell them.
The court heard that Mrs. Alao had asked Falilatu to help her carry the goods from the store to the selling point. After waiting for over an hour, the complainant went to check on the defendant, only to discover that the sack of goods had gone missing, and Falilatu was nowhere to be found. The goods, valued at N1 million, were later traced to the possession of Ayisatu, who had received them from her mother to sell.
The prosecutor, Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi, stated that Ayisatu was aware that the goods were stolen when she received them from her mother. This act of conspiracy and theft led to the charges against both women.
The prosecution also pointed out that the crime violated sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate Mrs. O.O. Odumosu, who presided over the case, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. She convicted both Falilatu and Ayisatu on the charges of conspiracy and theft.
Odumosu sentenced both women to six months in prison but offered them an alternative to the jail time: they could each pay a fine of N5,000, provided they paid N100,000 each in restitution to the complainant before accessing the fine. This means that, in addition to the fine, they are required to compensate Mrs. Alao for her loss.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions in the local community. Some have expressed disappointment that the punishment was not more severe, given the high value of the stolen goods, while others feel that the restitution order offers a fair opportunity for the convicts to make amends for their actions.
Residents of Abeokuta, especially those familiar with the case, have reacted to the sentence with a combination of disbelief and sympathy. While some people are calling for stricter penalties for such crimes, others believe that the option of paying a fine and restitution is a reasonable way to allow the convicts to make reparations.
In contrast, some members of the community believe that the fine is too lenient, considering the severity of the theft. A local businesswoman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “These kinds of thefts are common in our markets, and it’s time for the court to send a stronger message. If it had been someone else, they might have gotten a heavier sentence.”
Ponmo (cow skin) and stockfish are common items in Nigerian households, especially in the southern and western regions, where they are frequently used in cooking traditional dishes. Ponmo is often considered a delicacy, while stockfish is a popular ingredient in soups and stews. These goods are sold at various markets across Nigeria, and their prices can vary depending on factors like quality and demand.
The theft of goods like ponmo and stockfish, particularly in large quantities, has the potential to cause significant financial losses for traders. For small businesses like Mrs. Alao’s, losing goods worth N1 million is a major setback, which explains why the case has garnered attention in the local media and among the public.
The conviction of Falilatu and Ayisatu highlights the ongoing issue of theft in Nigeria, particularly in commercial settings like markets. While the punishment for theft under Nigerian law can vary depending on the value of the stolen goods and the circumstances surrounding the crime, conspiracy—when two or more people plan and execute a theft together—can lead to harsher penalties.
The Criminal Code of Ogun State specifically outlines punishments for theft, with Section 390(9) stating that anyone found guilty of stealing goods above a certain value can face imprisonment. In this case, the value of the stolen goods exceeded N1 million, which made the offense more serious in the eyes of the law.
By offering the convicts the option to pay a fine, the court appears to have considered their personal circumstances, but some legal experts suggest that the relatively low fine may not be enough to deter future offenders. They argue that harsher punishments are necessary to reduce theft in public markets and protect traders from financial losses.
