The Price Of Thirst: 33-Year-Old Arraigned For Stealing Pure Water In Ekiti
In a country where corruption scandals involving billions often make the news — and yet fade without consequence — one man in Ekiti State is facing serious charges for allegedly stealing bags of sachet water, popularly known as “pure water.”
Yes, pure water.
The accused, 33-year-old Fatai Yisa, appeared before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti this week. His crime? Allegedly stealing 1,570 bags of pure water — worth a total of ₦549,500 — from the factory where he worked as a sales assistant.
From January to June 10, 2025, the prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, claims Yisa slowly siphoned off the product in small batches, perhaps believing it would go unnoticed. But it didn’t.
He is now being charged under Section 302 of the Ekiti State Criminal Law (2021) for theft.
🤔 Is This Justice or Just the Easy Target?
Let’s take a step back.
This is not a defense of theft. If the allegations are true, Yisa should face consequences — but let’s look at the bigger picture:
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In a country where high-ranking officials loot public funds and still get chieftaincy titles…
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Where billions go “missing” during audit reports and no one is docked…
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Where powerful individuals are rarely brought to justice…
It’s hard not to wonder: Are we only capable of prosecuting the powerless?
It seems the legal hammer falls fastest — and hardest — on the poor.
💡 A Symptom of Something Deeper
Pure water theft might seem minor, but it signals a deeper social issue: economic desperation. With rising inflation, unaffordable food, and mass unemployment, more Nigerians are resorting to desperate measures to survive.
So while the legal system handles Fatai Yisa, who allegedly took half a million naira’s worth of water over six months, we should also ask:
Who’s tracking those who steal ₦500 million from public coffers in one day?
🧾 In the End…
Justice must be blind — but it shouldn’t be selectively blind.
Fatai Yisa’s case reminds us of the urgent need to balance the scales: prosecute crimes at all levels, not just those committed by the poor and powerless.
Because a nation where water theft gets more attention than public looting is a nation that’s drinking from a very poisoned well.
