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Nigeria: Three Arraigned Over Theft

Daily Trust (Abuja)

1 November 2007
Posted to the web 1 November 2007

Usman a Bello and Sikiru M. Jimoh
Abuja

Three men were yesterday arraigned before an Abuja magistrates' court for allegedly stealing a lap top computer.

Ayo Shola,18, of 44 Federal Housing, Lugbe, Chimobi Chukwuka,30, and Tochukwu Ikez,21, of Neighbourhood centre Wuse zone 3, were on October 23 alleged to have broken into shops 18 and 19 at Neighbourhood centre, Wuse Zone 3, and made away with a laptop.

Police report states that Engr. Okoye Chilozee and Olisa J. Osaji of Neighbourhood centre, reported that on October 24 Ayo Shola (welder), Chimobi Chukwuka (technician) and Tochukwu Ikez (electrician), all broke into the shops and stole the said item. It added that during investigation they confessed committing to the offence.

The report further had it that Ayo Shola and Chukwuka also confessed that in August 2007, they had broken into shop 14 of the same Neighbourhood centre and stolen the sum of N150, 000.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty after listening to the content of the first information report and the prosecutor, Adamu Abdullahi, asked the court to fix a date for hearing to enable him call witnesses.

Magistrate Alkali Bashir granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety each. The sureties, among other conditions, must reside in the jurisdiction of the court with fixed address and must work in a public or reputable private establishment.

Another 22-year-old man appeared before an Abuja magistrate's court yesterday for allegedly stealing a laptop.

The accused, Vincent Okamu, was accused of allegedly conspiring with four others at large to steal a laptop belonging to one Mr Abdul Waheed Ibrahim of City Plaza, Garki 2, Abuja.

The prosecutor, Corporal Bulus Samuel told the court that the crime took place on August 8, 2007.

The accused person denied the charge of conspiracy but pleaded guilty to theft. He told the court that he alone stole the laptop and did not conspire with any of the other accused persons.

After listening to him, the prosecutor applied for an adjournment date and the trial magistrate, Ramatu Gulmar ordered that the accused be remanded in prison till the next adjournment.

The case was adjourned till November 7 for hearing.