In an innovative approach to justice, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has secured a community service sentence for two bakery workers accused of stealing five loaves of bread from their employer.
The case was resolved through the Ministry’s Restorative Justice Centre (RJC) in collaboration with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre, diverting it from the traditional court system.
The matter initially came before a Magistrate Court but was channeled away from formal prosecution. A District Prosecutor, applying the Ministry’s case-sifting process, identified it as suitable for alternative dispute resolution and referred both parties to the RJC.
During mediation at the centre, the employer and the accused workers reached a mutual agreement. Instead of facing criminal charges and a potential custodial sentence, the offenders were sentenced to two weeks of community service, which commenced immediately.
PHOTOS: (Caption for Photo 1&2: The two convicted individuals serving their community service sentence.)
This outcome highlights the state government’s commitment to its restorative justice policy, which aims to rehabilitate offenders, provide restitution to victims, and reduce congestion in the conventional court system for minor offences.
Source: Lagos State Government