By Milcah Tanimu
A trader named Yusuf Dauda faced a unique sentence in Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, as he was ordered to perform community service by cleaning the court premises for 20 hours as a penalty for stealing a bag of onions.
Dauda was charged with two counts of conspiracy and theft, alongside Moses Enumah, who was 33 years old. In response to the charges, Dauda pleaded guilty, while Enumah maintained his innocence.
Magistrate O.A. Daodu sentenced Dauda to clean the court premises for 20 hours and cautioned him. His discharge would be contingent on the discretion of the overseeing officer following the completion of his community service.
According to the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Bassey Sunday, the theft occurred on September 30 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mile 12 Market in the Ketu area of Lagos State. Dauda was accused of stealing a plastic paint bucket filled with onions valued at N6,000 from the shop of Sani Adamu. Enumah was charged with stealing a quarter bag of onions worth N13,000 from the shop of Sulaimon Abubakar. Both offenders were apprehended by market security personnel when the complainants raised the alarm.
The prosecution cited violations of sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, in their charges.
Mr. Enumah was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties of the same amount, and the case was adjourned until November 10 for further proceedings.
