Man jailed for stealing recharge cards

Man jailed for stealing recharge cards

By Emma Elekwa

An Abuja grade 1 area court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to four months imprisonment for stealing telephone recharge cards and other items in a shop in Kubwa, Abuja.

Nasiru Mohammed of Zuba was convicted for criminal trespass and theft, offences that contradict Sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, told the court that Ajasa Oluwasefi of PW Market, on March 23, reported at a Kubwa police station of how the accused entered her shop and remained there with intent to commit an offence.

He said the accused stole her purse containing recharge cards of different networks valued at N7,000, phone handset, ATM card and cash sum of N2,200.

The prosecutor said the accused was arrested while attempting to escape with the stolen items.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four months imprisonment by the judge, Mohammed Marafa, with a fine option of N20,000.

Similarly, a 17-year-old boy was arraigned before the same court for allegedly stealing a cash sum of N21,000 in a shop in Kubwa, Abuja.

David Edet of Byazhin Kubwa, was charged with criminal trespass, house breaking and theft, offences that contradict Sections 342, 346 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun told the court that one Ogbu Desmond and Dozumu Olayinka of Byazhin across, on March 27, reported at a Kubwa police station of how the accused criminally trespassed into their premises and broke into their shop through the ceiling.

He said the accused dishonestly stole some provisions valued at N100,000 and a cash sum of N21,000 without their consent.

The prosecutor said the accused was arrested while attempting to escape.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and wase granted bail in the sum of N100,000 by the judge, Mohammed Marafa, with one surety who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to May 30 for hearing.