By Philomina Attah
The absence of a defence counsel on Wednesday stalled the trial of an unemployed man, Amobi Nduka, in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja.
The police charged Nduka with one count of theft contrary to the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal Code.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke on Nov. 8, 2022.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, Mr Oyeyemi Adeniyi earlier told the court that Ms Precious Jonathan of Abuja reported the case on July 10, 2022 at the police station.
Adeniyi said that Jonathan had a mechanical problem with her Toyota Corolla vehicle, 2015 model around Lugbe express.
He said Jonathan was able to pull out of the major road and parked the vehicles properly at the road side to find a mechanic.
“On reaching where she parked the vehicle with the mechanic, she discovered that her vehicle was stolen.
“Investigation led to the arrest of the defendant who stole the vehicle in and moved it to Enugu State,” he said.
The prosecutor further said that the defendant who has an ongoing case of theft in a Wuse Zone 6 Magistrates’ Court, confessed to the crime.
He was granted bail to the sum of N500,000 with two reasonable sureties residing within the jurisdiction of the court.
The sureties must submit their National Identity Number (NIN) to the court.
The defendant has been remanded in the Keffi Correctional Centre because he could not meet his bail conditions.
The Magistrate, however adjourned the case until April 26 for continuation of trial.
NAN