The Lagos State Government has directed two bakery employees to serve two weeks of community service after they were caught stealing five loaves of bread from their employer.

The Ministry of Justice said on Monday that the sentence was issued through the Restorative Justice Centre in partnership with the Non-Custodial/Community Service Centre as an alternative to formal prosecution.

Initially, the bakery sought court action against the workers. However, through the Ministry’s case review process at the Magistrate Courts, a District Prosecutor referred both the employer and employees to the Restorative Justice Centre rather than pursuing traditional charges.

Following mediation, all parties agreed that the workers would carry out two weeks of community service, which began immediately at the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

The Ministry of Justice said the decision reflects its ongoing reforms to encourage accountability and reconciliation for minor offences.

“This resolution demonstrates our commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and accountability, and shows how restorative justice can effectively resolve minor disputes,” the statement added.