A 38-year-old mother and her two daughters were on Tuesday discharged and acquitted by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing three bags of tubers of yam, following a pastor’s plea.

The three convicted were Kemi Kehinde, 38; Opeyemi, 18; and Ronke,16.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, said that they were freed in line with the plea of the complainant, who is a man of God.

“Having pleaded guilty to the two count charge of conspiracy and stealing, the three accused persons are hereby convicted. But going by the prayer of the complainant, who is a man of God, the court hereby yields to the mercy pleaded by the complainant and they are discharged and acquitted.

“The offences they committed attract minimum of seven years imprisonment each, but they should thank God and the complainant who has shown open heart,” the magistrate said.

They were warned not to be seen around the farmland of the complainant, saying that if seen around the area, they would be held culpable of any offence committed there.

The woman and her daughters were very sober, and thanked the Pastor.