By Praise Afolabi
Two bakery employees in Lagos have been sentenced to two weeks of community service after admitting to stealing five loaves of bread from their employer.
The case was handled under the Lagos State Ministry of Justice’s Restorative Justice Centre (RJC), part of ongoing reforms aimed at easing congestion in correctional facilities.
Although the employer initially pressed for prosecution, a district prosecutor at the Magistrates’ Court redirected the matter to the RJC. There, both parties reached a mediated settlement.
The workers began serving their community service immediately after the agreement.
Officials say the outcome reflects the State’s drive to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability in minor offences, while showcasing the benefits of restorative justice over custodial sentences.
