Two bakery employees in Lagos State have been handed a two-week community service sentence after being accused of stealing five loaves of bread from their workplace.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice announced the decision in a statement on Monday, September 8, 2025, explaining that the matter was resolved through its Restorative Justice Centre (RJC) in partnership with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre, Eyes Of Lagos reports
According to the statement, the bakery owner had initially pressed for prosecution, but under the Ministry’s new sifting process at Magistrate Courts, a District Prosecutor referred the case for mediation rather than filing charges.
The parties later reached a settlement at the RJC, which required the two workers to serve 14 days of community service — a sentence that commenced immediately.
The Ministry noted that this approach aligns with the government’s reform agenda to reduce prison congestion while promoting reconciliation and accountability.
It emphasized that restorative justice continues to play a vital role in addressing minor offences, ensuring offenders face consequences without unnecessary imprisonment.
