Labourer docked for allegedly stealing friend’s motorcycle

A 26-year-old labourer, Musa Abubakar, who allegedly stole his friend’s motorcycle valued at N120,000, was on Monday arraigned in a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Aso Pada.

Abubakar, who resides at Calvary Road Mararaba, is being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Agabi Auta, told the court that the case was reported at Calvary Road Police Station by one Abdullahi Mohammed of Tudun Wada, Mararaba, on Aug. 10.

Auta said that sometimes in 2016, the complainant bought a Bajaj motorcycle and gave it to the defendant (his friend) for commercial purpose.

He said the defendant entered into an agreement to remit N30,000 monthly to the complainant, but after paying for two months he stopped remitting the amount to him.

“The defendant then sold the motorcycle to another person and informed the complainant that the motorcycle was stolen.

“When the complainant asked of the money the defendant made before the alleged theft, he promised to bring it to the complainant, but he never did,’’ the prosecutor said.

Auta further said that the defendant ran away to an unknown destination until Aug. 10 when he was seen and arrested.

He added that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to have sold the motorcycle to one Isiaka Ahmed, who is now at large.

The prosecutor stated that the offence contravened Sections 97 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge, Albert Maga, granted the defendant N150,000 bail with one surety in like sum.

Maga said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, submit a recent passport photograph or a national identity card.

He adjourned the case until Aug. 31 for further hearing.