Justice

A 24-year-old man, Hassan Mustapha, was on Thursday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing N1,000.

Mustapha of no fixed address, is standing trial on a two-count charge of joint act and theft.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, the Judge, Mr Sidi Rufai, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10,000 with a surety in like sum.

The Prosecutor, Mr Ignatius Etikpe, told the court that one Mathias Uzor reported the matter at Garki Police Station on Aug. 3.

Etipke said that the theft was carried out by the defendant and his accomplice, one Alimi Isiaka, now at large.

He said that Mustapha and Isiaka criminally stole the sum of N1,000 and an Itel phone valued at N5,000 from the complainant.

Etikpe alleged that the incident happened while the complainant was sitting in front of Mr Biggs, along Lagos Street in Garki, Abuja.

“The money and phone were removed from the complainant’s breast pocket.

“The defendant was caught in the act, while Isiaka ran away with the phone, the N1,000 was found in Mustapha’s possession,’’ Etikpe said.

The prosecutor also told the court that during police investigation, the defendant admitted that he committed the offence.

He said the offense is contrary to sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 23, for hearing.