A 20-year-old man, Chita Ugochukwu who allegedly stole 54 apples was on Monday remanded in prison custody by a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, sitting in Nasarawa.
Ugochukwu, a resident of Kado Village Abuja, is standing trial on a one-count charge of theft.
Testifying in court, the prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji said one Monday Ifeanyi of Kapada Market, Mararaba, reported the crime committed by the accused at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on June 27.
The prosecutor noted that the accused at about 6:32pm stole 54 apples worth N3,600 from the complainant.
Confessing his crime before the court, the accused said, “I stole the apples because I have not had money to feed myself since I came back from the village. I pray the court to have mercy on me. I will never steal again as I have learnt my lesson.’’
Adaji told the court that the accused had confessed to the police while been interrogated that prior to his arrest, he stole the complainant’s apples twice.
According to Adaji, the offence contravened Section 288 of the penal code.
When the charges were read, Ugochukwu pleaded guilty and asked the court for leniency.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, ordered that the accused be remanded in Keffi prison till July 2 after listening to an oral application by the prosecutor who asked the court not to grant the accused bail as he may not show up in court during the next adjourned date.
“You are to be remanded in Keffi Prison till July 2 for ruling,’’ Maga said.
Comments