Applicant in court for touching woman’s breast

An applicant, Samuel Maina, on Wednesday appeared in an Upper Area Court at Karu in the FCT, charged with touching the breast of a woman and snatching a bag. Maina is therefore, charged with gross indecency and theft. The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Phillip Akugo, told the court that one Alice Ujah reported the accused and two other persons now at large to the Asokoro Police Station on Feb. 24. Akugo said that the complainant had stated that she boarded a taxi with the accused and two others from AYA to Kuruduma Village, where she resides. Akugo said“ Ujah who was the only female occupant of the taxi, in her statement said the accused and one of his accomplice started to touch her breast while the other searched her bag.’’ He said they made away with her N34,000 and threatened to beat her if she raised an alarm. The prosecutor said that the driver, who was also an accomplice, drove the complainant to an unknown place and stripped her naked. The offences of theft and gross indecency contravene Sections 286 and 285 of the Penal Code. If convicted, he faces eight years in prison or with an option to pay a fine or both. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. After arraignment, the Presiding Judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50,000 and one surety in like sum. Kagarko ordered that the surety must be a respected person who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction. He adjourned the case to April 14 for hearing. (NAN)