Police Arraign Recharge Card Seller Over Stolen Phone

The police on Tuesday in Abuja arraigned a mobile phone recharge card seller, Ibrahim Aliyu, 19, of no fixed address in a Karu Upper Area Court for allegedly being in possession of a stolen blackberry phone.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Fedelis Ogundele, told the court that on May 3 at about 3 a.m., the police patrol team led by Insp. Ibrahim Daniel from Central District Police Station, Abuja arrested Aliyu.

“The accused was arrested at a black spot behind the Energy Commission located in the Central Business district.

“The said black spot is notoriously known for criminal activities. This is where women’s hand bags are usually snatched.

“During police search, a blackberry curve II phone suspected to have been stolen was recovered from him,” he said.

Ogundele said the offence contravened provision of section 319 (a) of the Penal Code.

If convicted under Section 319 (a), the accused shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with a fine or with both.

The accused who pleaded not guilty said: “I was on my own, taking a walk when I saw the phone on the ground.

“ I picked it up. I did not steal the phone,” he told the court.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagargo, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 and one surety in like sum.

Kagargo ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and adjourned the case to July 15.