Teenager in court for theft of TV set, mobile phones

By Segun Adeyemi

A 19-year old boy, Monday Joseph, was on Tuesday charged to court for alleged theft of a plasma television set and mobile telephone sets.

Mr Joseph, who allegedly stole the television set alongside and other valuables, was arraigned before a Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Aso Pada, Mararaba.

The suspect who is a resident of Aku village in Mararaba in Nasarawa State, face a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, house-breaking and theft.

The prosecutor, Agabi Auta, told the court that one Murktar Yahaya of Aso Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division police station on Sept. 5.

Auta said that at about 1.30 a.m. while the complainant was sleeping in his room, the defendant and three others now at large, broke into his room.

He said the accused and the others threatened to kill the complainant if he failed to comply with their order.

He said that they tied the complainant’s mouth to prevent him from shouting, took away his plasma TV set, four phones, a wrist watch and a DVD player, all valued at N71,000.

“They were in the process of running away with the stolen items when one of the neighbours who heard some noise raised an alarm.

“The accused was caught and taken to the police station while the three others ran away to an unknown destination,” he said.

Auta said the offences contravened Sections 97, 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

According to reports, the section 288 stipulates a three-year jail term for offenders, if convicted.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The judge, Albert Maga, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

He said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, must be gainfully employed and must show evidence of tax payment to the Nasarawa State Government.

Maga adjourned the case until Sept. 28 for hearing.