Mother, Daughter Jailed for Stealing Ponmo, Stock Fish Worth N1 Million in Ogun

A Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced a mother and daughter to six months in prison each for stealing dried ponmo, stock fish, and dried meat worth N1 million. The convicts, Falilatu Amidu and her daughter, Ayisatu, were found guilty of conspiracy and theft.

Magistrate O.O. Odumosu ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She sentenced them to six months in jail but granted them the option of a N5,000 fine. Additionally, both were ordered to refund N100,000 each to the complainant, Mrs. Kafayat Alao, before being eligible for the fine option.

According to Prosecutor Inspector Kehinde Fawunmi, the theft took place at Lafenwa Market in August 2024. Falilatu, who regularly assisted the complainant in transporting goods, was entrusted with collecting stock from the store. However, she disappeared with a large sack of dried meat, ponmo, and stock fish. When the complainant arrived at the store after waiting for over an hour, she found both Falilatu and the goods missing.

Investigations revealed that Falilatu had given the stolen items to her daughter, Ayisatu, to sell. The prosecution argued that Ayisatu was fully aware that the goods were stolen. The offences violated Sections 516, 390(9), and 127 of the Ogun State Criminal Code Laws of 2006.