- Safiu Kehinde
Two bakery workers have been sentenced to two-week community service for allegedly stealing five loaves of bread from their employer in Lagos
The community sentence was secured for the bakery workers by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre.
As disclosed in a statement issued on the state government’s official website on Tuesday the bakery owner had initially insisted on prosecuting the workers who were arraigned before a Magistrate court.
However, under the Ministry of Justice’s innovative sifting process at the Magistrate Courts, a District Prosecutor reviewed the matter and referred both parties to the Restorative Justice Centre instead of filing charges.
The centre eventually reached an agreement with both parties with the offenders sentenced to two weeks of community service which commenced immediately
According to the Lagos state government, the resolution highlights the ministry’s proactive approach to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, while demonstrating the effectiveness of restorative justice in resolving minor offences.