A 26-year-old man, Lucky Afolabi, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, over alleged theft of N500.
Afolabi of Durumi II, FCT, is standing trial on a two-count charge of joint act and theft.
The Prosecutor, Mr Gabriel Ayana, told the court that one Madueke Ifeanyi reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on Nov. 19.
Ayana alleged that the theft was carried out by the defendant and his accomplice, one Abubakar Abubakar, now at large.
He said that Afolabi and Abubakar criminally stole the sum of N500 and an Itel phone valued at N5,000 from the complainant.
“This incident happened while the complainant was sitting in front of Mr Biggs, along Lagos Street in Garki, Abuja,’’ Ayana said.
“The money and phone were removed from the complainant’s breast pocket.
“The defendant was caught in the act; while Abubakar fled with the phone, the N500 was found in Afolabi’s possession,’’ Ayana said.
The prosecutor also said that during police investigation, the defendant admitted that he committed the offence, which was contrary to sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
The Presiding Judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail of N10,000 with one surety in like sum.
Kagarko also ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned hearing in the matter to Jan. 27, 2017.