Court Jails Man for Stealing Motorcycle

Abdulkadir Y. Abdullahi

15 July 2011

An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old man to six months imprisonment for stealing a motorcycle belonging to one Francis Osemene.

Chibueze Anebe of Mopol Junction, Nyanya, Abuja, was convicted for theft and causing grievous hurt, which are punishable under section 286 and 241 of the Penal Code.

Police Prosecutor, Pascal Njoku, informed the court that the complainant reported to the police sometime in March, 2011 that the accused stole his motorcycle at Ashaka Cement junction in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

He said the complainant later saw his motorcycle in the hands of the accused and tried to collect it from him but he zoomed off forcefully and injured him on his leg.

The prosecutor further told the court that on July 12, the police arrested the accused in possession of the said motorcycle through the assistance of some commercial cyclists in the area.

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency, while the prosecutor asked for summary trial.

Chief Magistrate Ahmed Shuaibu sentenced the accused to six months imprisonment or to pay N5,000 fine in the theft charge and another six months without fine option for causing grievous hurt, adding that the jail terms should run concurrently.

In another case, a 25-year-old motorist was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody by an Abuja senior magistrate, pending his bail application in a case of alleged assault on a Cab driver.

Vincent Aguocha was charged with criminal force, assault, attempted theft and refusal to sign statement, which are offences contrary to Sections 263, 264, 288, 79 and 143 of the Penal Code.

Prosecutor Umar Mohammed informed the court that on July 12, one Ibrahim Kasumu of Daki-Biyu, Jabi, Abuja, reported to the police that while driving his Toyota Corolla car with registration nunmber. XA 938 RBC along Abuja-Keffi expressway, the accused stopped him.

He said as soon as the complainant stopped by the roadside, the accused jumped into the car and stole a Samsung handset valued at N18,000 from inside the car, adding that in an attempt to snatch his car, the accused almost lost control of the car and was rescued by some motorists and police officers.

The prosecutor stated further that the accused refused to sign his statement on oath during police investigations.

When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty while his Counsel, Barrister C. I. Nnaemeka, requested for bail for his client.

Senior Magistrate Nkwadimi Buba asked the counsel to file a motion for bail application and remanded the accused in prison custody until August 3, when the case will come up for hearing.

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