A 21-year-old sales boy, Abdullahi Dalhatu, was arraigned on Thursday before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna on charges of stealing phone accessories valued at N3.9 million.
Dalhatu, who resides in Kinkinau, Kaduna, faces two charges: criminal conspiracy and theft.
According to the prosecutor, Chidi Leo, the theft was reported by Haruna Jafar, a resident of the same area, at the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department on January 25.
Leo explained that Dalhatu, employed at “Jafar Jafar Phones and Accessories” in Kawo, Kaduna, conspired with two other individuals still at large to steal phone accessories from the shop.
“During the investigation, the defendant was arrested and confessed to his involvement in the crime,” Leo stated.
The prosecutor noted that the charges contravened Sections 59 and 271 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. Section 271 specifies a three-year jail sentence for theft if found guilty.
Dalhatu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted him bail in the sum of N200,000, with one surety in a similar amount. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and their address must be verified. The case has been adjourned until March 20 for further hearing.