Two bakery workers in Lagos have been sentenced to two weeks of community service after being caught stealing five loaves of bread from their employer.
The sentence was announced in a statement by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Monday. The case was handled through the Restorative Justice Centre in collaboration with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre, serving as an alternative to court prosecution.
Initially, the bakery had pushed for the workers to be tried in court. However, under the state’s new sifting process at Magistrate Courts, a District Prosecutor reviewed the case and redirected it to the Restorative Justice Centre.
During mediation, both sides agreed that the workers would undergo community service instead of facing trial. The workers began their two-week service immediately at the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the decision reflects ongoing reforms to encourage accountability, dialogue, and reconciliation in minor offences.
“This resolution highlights the Ministry’s proactive approach to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, while demonstrating the effectiveness of restorative justice in resolving minor offences,” the statement read.
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