By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
A Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court has remanded in prison custody three accused persons for allegedly terrorising and dispossessing students of valuables including smart phones, computers and others worth millions of Naira.
The accused were arraigned on a four-count charge of Criminal Conspiracy, stealing, dishonestly receiving stolen goods and belonging to gang of thieves.
The accused, Abbas Salisu, 22; Gimba Danlami Ibrahim, 25 and Mamud Lawal Kwara, 26, all male, who were arraigned on Tuesday allegedly committed the offence in February, 2024, in Lokoja.
The Prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya who filed the case before the Magistrate Court urged the court to remand the accused persons in Koton-Karfe Mediun Custodian Centre pending completion of investigation into the Case.
According to him, the accused were terrorising students’ communities of Adakolo, Felele, Bassa Village and Crusher in the outskirts Lokoja, the State capital.
The Prosecution said that the victims who were mostly students of Federal University and Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja in Adankolo and Felele were dispossessed of valuables such as smart phones, computers and others.
He said that the prime suspect, Abbas Salisu admitted to have stolen 33 phones while Gimba Ibrahim and Mamud Lawal Kwara who claimed to be phone Technicians, knowingly bought stolen phones from the prime suspect.
Olarewaju said the criminal action which lasted between the month of February and March 1, 2024 revealed that they committed an offence punishable under Section 317 of Kogi State Penal Code.
Collectively, the Prosecution said they associated for the purpose of stealing along Adankolo, Ibro Motor Park, Felele, No Time Lodge, Okadigbo, Kogi State Polytechnic environs and Federal University Lokoja, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 306 of Kogi State Penal code.
The three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Their counsel, Muazu Abbas Esq however sought adjournment to enable prepare a formal application for their bail.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Mopa conceded to the plea of the Prosecuting Counsel and ordered that the accused all be remanded in custody of the Koton-Karfe Medium Security Correctional centre.
Chief Magistrate Mopa therefore adjourned the case till 9th if May for hearing. (Ends)