A Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja has remanded three suspected thieves who were terrorising the student communities of Adankolo, Felele, Bassa Village and Crusher suburb areas of Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
They were arrested in connection with the recent attacks on the Student-populated communities and dispossessing them of valuables such as smartphones, computers and other items.
The suspects, Abbas Salisu, Gimba Ibrahim and Mamud Lawal Kwarawho had earlier confessed to having stolen 33 phones.
They were arraigned by the Department of State Service before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The Prosecuting counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya filed four-count charges including criminal conspiracy, theft of phones valued at One Million Naira, dishonesty, receiving stolen properties and belonging to a gang of thieves that were stealing the belongings of Students of Kogi State Polytechnic and Federal University Lokoja.
He urged the court to remand the accused persons at the Koton Karfe Medium Custodian Centre pending the investigation and hearing of the Case.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, the trial Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Mopah remanded the suspects in Koto Karfe custodial centre and adjourned the case till 9th of May, 2024 for a hearing.
Similarly, the Chief Magistrate Court has remanded one Augustine Obaje in Koton- Karfe Medium Correctional Centre for alleged impersonation, extortion and fraud.
Obaje was dragged before the Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly and consistently using the name of the Department of State Services to defraud the unsuspecting public.
Obaje was brought to Court on charges that he had fraudulently obtained the sum of three hundred thousand Naira, N300,000, from Dr Simeon Oyigun Omakoji under the false pretence that He was sent by the State Director, Department of Service, Mr Tosin Ajayi.
Obaje was also said to have committed extortion by deliberately putting one Dr Simeon Oyigun Omakoji, in fear of death, alleging that, the Immediate Past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello had sent Assassins and Kidnappers to eliminate him.
The Defence Counsel, William Alewo urged the court to grant the defendant bail to enable him to prepare and defend his case, adding that the accused will not jump the bail or interfere in the investigation.
The Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Mopah ruling remanded the accused person in the Custody of Koton Karfe Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till 9th May 2024 for hearing and continuation.
