Mechanic docked over alleged theft of motorcycle

The Police on Tuesday docked a 22-year-old mechanic, John James, before a Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court in Plateau over the alleged theft of a motorcycle.

James of Tina Junction, Jos, was charged with a count of theft.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Mohammed Shuaibu, told the court that one Samson Bala of Odus, Bauchi Ring Road, Jos, reported the matter at the Nassarawa Gwom police station on Nov. 28.

Shuaibu said that the accused person went into the complainant’s house and stole his motorcycle valued at N60,000.

He said that the accused was arrested by the police, when he was seen riding the said motorcycle in the town.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, the accused is liable to five years imprisonment or an option of a fine or both.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge: “I didn’t steal the motorcycle, I only saw it parked carelessly and I decided to carry it,’’ he told the court.

The Magistrate, Mr Suleiman Wase, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Wase added that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and submit to the court two recent passport photographs and a drivers licence or national identity card.

He then adjourned the matter to Dec. 4, for hearing.