A kerosene seller, Bartholomew Almoda, is facing trialat an Upper Area court, in Karu, Abuja, for allegedly stealing N22,200 from his neighbour.
The prosecutor, Insp. Silas Nanpan, told the court that the accused’s neighbour, Malam Adamu Illiyasu, had lodged a report against the accused at the Nyanya Police Station on May 19.
Nanpan said the complainant reported that on the same day, he hid N22,200, being proceeds realised from his sales for the day, before going to the mosque.
“Before leaving for the mosque, the complainant who is a tomato seller covered his wares and told the accused that he was going for prayers.
“But when the complainant returned, and checked under his mat, where he had kept the money, it was gone and the accused was nowhere to be seen,’’ he said.
The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 288 of the Penal code.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Almoda, if convicted, is liable to seven years in prison or the option of paying a fine.
After listening to the charges, the accused who is charged with theft pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Malam Hassan Ishaq, admitted him to bail in the sum of N20,000 and one surety in like sum.
He ordered that the surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 06, or a businessman.
Ishaq adjourned the case until June 19 for hearing proper.(NAN)
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