Two In Court Over Stealing

Two men have appeared before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court for alleged stealing and other criminal offences.

The accused persons, Emeka Enweremadu, 35 and Lucky Nweze, 24 are standing trial on three count charge of stealing, conspiracy and other criminal offences before Chief Magistrate F. N. Amanze.

The Police Prosecuting Officer, Sergent Chigeru Nwokwe told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the 13th day of March, 2013 at Elebor Street Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did conspired among themselves to Commit Felony to wit stealing.

The police prosecutor further told the court that the accused persons on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal three leather bags, containing laptop computer, one electric chipper and other items valued 2,800 Euros Property of one Mba Christopher.

The prosecutor also alleged that the accused persons on the same date and place in the afore said Magisterial District, did steal one leather bag containing children’s shoes, adding that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under section 51b A (1), 530 (9) of the criminal code, Cap 37 Vol. II, laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the three-count charge brought against them. Counsel to the accused persons, Amaka Onwueke  and Barrister F. O. Lawal pleaded with the court to grant the accused persons bail on a libral terms, adding that the accused persons would not jump bail, as they have reliable and reasonable sureties.

The prosecutor did not oppose the bail application as sought by the defence counsels but, however, passionately appealed to the court to grant them a short date for adjournment noting that the reasons for such short date was to enable the prosecution arraign three other suspects arrested in connection with the matter.

The presiding Chief Magistrate granted the accused persons N1 million bail each with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are to produce two passports photographys own a business premises in the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter to March 20, 2013 for elect summary trial.