By Didimoko A. Didimoko
A mother and her daughter have been sentenced to six months in prison by an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for stealing dried ponmo (cow skin), stockfish, and dried meat worth N1 million. The convicted duo, Falilatu Amidu and Ayisatu Amidu, were found guilty of conspiracy and theft.
The ruling, delivered by Magistrate O.O. Odumosu on Friday, came after the prosecution presented compelling evidence establishing their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. However, the court granted them an alternative—a N5,000 fine—provided they each refund N100,000 to the complainant as restitution.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi, the theft occurred in August 2024 at Lafenwa Market, Abeokuta. Falilatu, who was accustomed to assisting the complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, in transporting goods, exploited this trust. On the day of the incident, she was tasked with retrieving stock from Alao’s store but never returned. Alarmed by the delay, Alao visited the store, only to find both Falilatu and a large sack of dried meat, ponmo, and stockfish missing.
Further investigations revealed that Falilatu had handed over the stolen goods to her daughter, Ayisatu, for resale. Knowing they were stolen, Ayisatu accepted the items and attempted to profit from them.
The court found their actions in violation of Sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Ogun State Criminal Code Laws of 2006. Despite the leniency of a fine option, the ruling serves as a stern warning against theft and betrayal of trust in commercial dealings.
