A 21-year-old plasterer, Suleiman Ismail, was arraigned before a Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly stealing his neighbour’s belongings worth N137,500.

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smail, of Idu Gbagyi Karmo, Abuja, was charged with housebreaking and theft, to which he pleaded not guilty.

According to the Prosecution Counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, the complainant, Collins Chukwuebuka, reported the matter to the Karmo Police Station on August 15.

Ms Nwachukwu stated that in July, the defendant allegedly broke into the complainant’s house without consent and stole a DeWalt screw machine, two cooking pots, clothes and a working tools bag, all valued at N137,500.

The prosecutor alleged that on August 15, the defendant returned and broke into the complainant’s room, but was caught by the complainant, who sustained injuries during a scuffle.

Ms Nwachukwu said the defendant made a confessional statement during police interrogation.

The Chief Magistrate, Musa Jobbo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. 

He ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide reliable identification.

The case was adjourned until October 2 for hearing. 

(NAN)