The Kogi State Police Command has arraigned three suspects in connection with terrorising and robbing student communities of Adakolo, Felele, Bassa Village, and Crusher in the outskirts of Lokoja, the state capital.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the recent attacks on the student-populated communities, dispossessing of valuables such as smartphones, computers, among others.
The suspects: Abbas Salisu, who admitted to stealing 33 phones, Gimba Ibrahim, and Mamud Kwara, who claimed to be phone technicians, alleged to have bought stolen phones from the prime suspect, were arraigned by the Department of State Services before the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya, who filed the case before the Magistrates’ Court, urged the court to remand the accused persons at the Koton Karfe Medium Custodian Centre pending the conclusion of the investigation of the case.
The suspects were arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy and stealing,
“That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male; Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25years), male, and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, on or about February 2024 in Lokoja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did criminally conspire to commit an illegal act, to wit; theft of phones, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) of Kogi State Penal Code.
“That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male, between the month of February and March 2024, in Adankolo and Felele Area of Lokoja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, stole thirty-three (33) phones (Android and button) valued at one million Naira (N1m), thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of Kogi State Penal Code.
“That you, Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25years), male, and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, between the month of February and 1 March 2024, at Paparanda Square Lokoja, dishonestly received stolen phones from Abbas SALISU knowing fully well that they are stolen properties, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 317 of Kogi State Penal Code.
“That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male, Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25years), male, and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, at Lokoja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, belong to gang of thieves associated for the purpose of stealing along Adankolo, Ibro Motor Park, Felele No Time Lodge Okadigbo, Kogi State Polytechnic environs and Federal University Lokoja, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 306 of Kogi State Penal Code,” the charge read.
After the four charges were read to the hearing of the suspects, they denied all the allegations, saying they were false.
However, the defence counsel, Mr M.A. Abbas, sought an adjournment to enable him to prepare a formal application for bail.
Meanwhile, the trial Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Mopa, remanded the suspects in custody at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre.
He adjourned the case till April 9 for hearing.
