Police arraign 5 mechanics for car theft

The police have arraigned five persons in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ court, Abuja, charged with conspiracy and stealing an MDX Accura Jeep worth N1.5 million.

The accused persons: Mustapha Abbas, 32; Ahmed Oladapo, 34; Abduljelili Ademola, 31; Onyebuchi Onoja, 17 and Chris Onoja, 24, are facing two-count charge of joint act and theft.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Tanko, told the court that the accused persons were reported at the Wuse Police Station on July 3 by Tajudeen Ahmed of Flat 5 Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

Tanko said the complainant and the owner gave the car, with Reg. No. GW 803 ABC, to the first accused person to sell for N1. 5 million.

He explained that while the owner was waiting for the money, he got a call from the first accused person that the car had been stolen from his friends, where he kept it.

The prosecutor explained that Oladapo and Ademola told the police that one Timothy indicated interest in the purchase of the car and took them to one shop in Wuse Market, Abuja.

Tanko alleged that they met the two Onojas, who confirmed that the shop belonged to Timothy, who had indicated interest in the purchase of the car.

He explained that the accused claimed that Timothy, who urged them to wait for him in the shop, escaped with the car.

The prosecutor alleged that the five accused persons conspired to steal the car and informed the owner that Timothy had disappeared with the car.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Mohammed Anka, said the accused persons should be remanded in the police custody to allow the police complete their investigation.

The Magistrate, however, told the counsel to the accused persons, Mr Ejike Obiefuna, to file a formal bail application and adjourned the case until July 11 for hearing. (NAN)