Agnes, 54
(Real names withheld for the purpose of privacy)
Disclaimer: WIPSI does not support or condone criminal activities in any capacity. Our mission is to ensure fairness, justice and access to justice to victims of ignorance and the vulnerable in the society, while prioritizing the wellbeing of society and the individuals involved.
Picture this: it’s a cold Monday morning, the fog just starting to lift, the market opens as traders arrive and begin to set up shops. A certain woman has just set up her table, with the ata rodo(scotch bonnet), tomatoes, and potatoes sectioned into small bowls and heaps of garri(Cassava flour), rice, and beans in much larger bowls, Smoked fish curved by the seller to a point where its tail is inserted into its mouth and stacked at the front left corner of the table. The front right corner is still bare as the fufu she normally puts in a bucket has not yet arrived. The distributor is a bit late this morning. Finally, she moves to setting up the tubers. Because of the amount of sand on them, the tubers are placed on the floor just beside the table. She arranges the cassava in heaps of seven and the yams in stacks of six. She is done setting up for the morning, and all she has to do is wait for her first customer.
This is where Agnes, a married woman, comes onto the scene. At 7:30 am, tired and hungry, she made a desperate decision that ultimately became her undoing. She went to the Yam seller’s stall and impulsively picked up 17 tubers of yam, having no means or ability to pay. She claimed to have had the intention to sell the yams, hoping to turn a profit. Unfortunately, she was caught in the act, promptly apprehended, and handed over to the authorities. As a result, she now finds herself in prison, awaiting trial for her actions.
During our recent visit to the female correctional centre in Surulere, Ondo town, we engaged in a poignant conversation with Agnes, who candidly shared the circumstances that led to her current situation. She expressed genuine remorse and a strong determination to make amends and embrace a better path.
In an effort to assist her, we promptly took action by obtaining access to her confessional statement, which provides a comprehensive account of the events that transpired. It’s important to note that since the yams she took were returned to the market woman from whom she stole them, there is no outstanding need for reparations in that regard.
Additionally, we have made contact with her husband to involve him in her rehabilitation process. Our focus remains on supporting her in her journey towards rehabilitation, reintegration, and rebuilding her life within her family. We are actively in the process of identifying the specific court where Agnes’ case is being handled. Our goal is to swiftly determine the correct jurisdiction to ensure a timely submission of the bail application as soon as the court is located.
