Man lands in court for stealing cell phones valued N820,000

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

Odoh Ernest, a 22-year-old unemployed man, was docked before a Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Wednesday for allegedly stealing two cell phones worth N820,000.

Congress learnt that Ernest was accused by the police of theft and vandalism following a complaint.

Mr. Steven Osho, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court that Izong Stephenie, the complainant from Area 10 in Garki, had reported the incident to the Garki Police Station on January 5.

According to Osho, the complainant and her sister were being followed back from the supermarket when the defendant approached them and took their cell phones.

He informed the court that the complainant’s iPhone 12 Pro Max and her sister’s Techno Camo 10 phone, valued at N820,000, had been taken by the defendant.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of himself throughout the duration of the police inquiry.

According to Osho, the offense was against the Penal Code’s sections 287 and 327.

Nonetheless, the defendant entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.
The defendant was granted bail in the amount of N1 million by Judge Aliyu Kagarko, with one surety in the same amount.

Kagarko ruled that the surety had to be a resident of the court’s territorial jurisdiction and present a valid form of identification.

The court adjourned the hearing until January 24, 2024.