Widow Bags 3 Months Jail Term Over N9,000 Debt

 

A 30-year-old widow, Idayat Babalola, has been sentenced to three months imprisonment by an Osun State magistrate’s court over N9,000 debts, owed to Lapo Micro Credit Company.

Babalola, a mother of six, who lost her husband four years ago, was convicted by Magistrate Adijat Oloyade, after pleading guilty to a count charge of assault.

Earlier, Police prosecutor, Inspector Kayode Adeoye, told the court that the convict assaulted Ruth Oguntogbe, a representative of the Lapo Micro Credit Company after she asked her to pay the N9,000 balance of her debt.

Adeoye said Babalola beat Oguntogbe, which resulted to an injury on her right ear.

The prosecutor stated that the convict was loaned a sum of N30, 000 by the company.

According to the prosecutor, Babalola stopped paying back the loan since February 17, 2021 when the repayment was left with N9, 000 to balance up.

He stated that Oguntogbe had approached her to request for the N9,000 balance, after serious of notice to her.

According to the charge sheet, the convict committed the offence on March 3, 2021 at about 0620hrs at Sabo Area, Osogbo.

However, the convict told the court that she had been struggling to pay back the balance, but life has not been fair to her, saying that her living condition has been poor since her husband died four years ago and left her with six children to take care of.

Babalola said she had been fending for the family by selling fufu and sometimes engaging in casual labourer works.

Defence counsel, Okobe Nagite prayed the court to temper justice with mercy on Babalola, saying that she has nobody to help her.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Adijat Oloyade sentenced the convict to three months imprisonment with N2,000 option of fine.