An Upper Area court in Zuba, Abuja, has discharged a trader, Hassan Shamsu, charged with stealing iron rods valued at N35, 000 from a church building site.
Shamsu,19, who resides in Runji-Zuba, FCT , was charged with two counts of criminal trespass and theft.
The judge, Malam Aminu Sa’ad, discharged the accused due to the inability of the prosecution to produce witnesses in the case.
While discharging the accused, Sa’ad said: “Every member of the society is entitled to his or her fundamental human rights.
“Freedom of movement inclusive; as such, anybody who has not been found guilty of any offence shall be set free by the court.
“After all the court is the last hope of every aggrieved man.
“Since there have been no witnesses to testify against the accused person since the beginning of the hearing of this case in February, the court will then believe the man to be innocent.
“The court hereby discharges you and strike out this case,’’ Sa’ad said.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Momoh Ibrahim , had told the court that on February 20, one Pastor Simon David of Runji-Zuba, FCT, lodged a report at the Zuba Police Station.
Ibrahim said the accused was caught by the complainant stealing iron rods meant for a church building.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 287 and 394 of the Penal code respectively. (NAN)
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
