Security guard, businessman docked for allegedly receiving stolen property from teenager

A 22-year-old security guard, Awaisu Usman, and a businessman, Sajjad Said, 18, appeared before a Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for allegedly receiving stolen property from a 15-year-old boy.

The defendants, both of Federal Housing, Lugbe, in Abuja, are standing trial for criminal conspiracy, intimidation, and dishonestly receiving stolen property.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The Police Prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, had earlier told the court that the matter was reported by one Yusuf Mohammed, of the same address.

Adeniyi said that the defendants conspired within themselves and received the sum of N1.4 million and 800 dollars from the complainant’s 15-year-old son.

He said that during the police investigation, the defendants could not give a satisfactory account of their actions.

According to him, the offenses contravene the provisions of Sections 97, 288, and 397 of the Penal Code.

Although the prosecutor said that bail was at the discretion of the court, he urged the magistrate to consider the gravity of the crimes that the defendants allegedly committed.

He pleaded with the court for stiffer bail conditions to make it impossible for them not to jump bail but to make themselves available to face trial.

The Magistrate, E.A. Chigozie, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N2 million each, with a surety in like sum.

Chigozie said that the sureties must be government officials from any grade level residing within the jurisdiction of the court.

He also ordered that the sureties submit their employment and last promotion letters to the court’s registrar and that their addresses be verified by the prosecutor.

The magistrate thereafter adjourned the case till Aug. 4 for hearing.