Two passengers, James Ayuba (31) and Sophia Suleiman (34), have been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Karu, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a driver’s mobile phone and N20,000 in cash.
The defendants were charged with joint acts, theft, and belonging to a gang of thieves. They pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Olarewaju Osho told the court that the complainant, Mr Joseph Gbenda of Kubwa, Abuja, reported the case at Karu Police Station on 18 June.
Osho explained that on 17 June, the complainant had conveyed the defendants from Area 1, Garki, to Nyanya. After they alighted, he discovered that his Infinix Smart 3 phone and N20,000 were missing.
“They were later traced to their hideout behind Karu cemetery, where the stolen phone was recovered, though the money was not,” he said.
Osho further told the court that investigations revealed the pair belonged to a syndicate known for similar crimes. He added that both defendants had only recently been released on administrative bail for a similar offence.
The alleged crimes contravene Sections 79, 288 and 306 of the Penal Code.
Senior Magistrate Ngozi Okonkwo adjourned the matter until 24 June.
(NAN)