NAN-H-68
Theft
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Jan. 17, 2017 (NAN) An Abuja Area Court in Lugbe on Tuesday discharged a 21-year-old scavenger, Nura Auwal, charged with trespass and theft.
The Judge, Mr Garba Ogbede, discharged the defendant following an application by the prosecuting counsel, Vivian Oporomo, who told the court to strike out the case for lack of complainant interest.
Ogbede said “having heard the prosecution’s application to strike out the suit for lack of complainant interest, the case is hereby struck out.
“The defendant is also discharged of all criminal charges.”
He, however, warned the defendant never to commit such offence again and
said “consequently, the First Information Report (FIR) is hereby struck out.’’
Auwal of CBN extension, Lugbe, Airport Road, Abuja, was accused of trespass and stealing generators.
He had pleaded not guilty to the allegations sometime in June 2016 and was granted bail and had always appeared in court for hearing in the case but the complainant had refused to testify.
The face two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft contrary to sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The prosecuting counsel blamed the complainant, Okogbo with unknown surname and sole witness, who reported the matter at Lugbe Police Station for refusing to testify.
The counsel said Okogbo never appeared in court since the matter was first mentioned and all efforts to make him come to court proved abortive.
In the FIR, Okogbo of FHA Lugbe alleged that the defendant criminally entered his house and stole two generators on June 10, 2016.
According to the FIR, the said generators valued at N300,000, were recovered from the defendant. (NAN)
UGO/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu