A Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja has remanded three suspected criminals who were terrorising students communities of Adakolo, Felele, Bassa Village and Crusher suburb areas of Lokoja, the kogi State capital.
They were arrested in connection with the recent attacks on the student-populated communities and dispossessing of valuables such as smart phones, computers and other items.
Abbas Salisu, Gimba Ibrahim and Mamud Lawal Kwara, who had earlier confessed to have stolen 33 phones, were arraigned by the Department of State Service before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja on Tuesday.
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The Prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya, filed a four count charges bothering on criminal conspiracy, theft of phones valued at N1 million, dishonestly 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 before the Chief Magistrate Court 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 hearing.
In a related development, the Chief Magistrate Court has remanded one Austin 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 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 Simeon Oyigun Omakoji under the false pretence that he was sent by the State Director, State Security Service, Tosin Ajayi.
Austin was also said to have committed an extortion by deliberately putting one Simeon Oyigun Omakoji, in fear of death to wit that the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, had sent assasins and kidnappers to eliminate him.
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The Defence Counsel, William Alewo, urged the Court to grant the defendant bail to enable him to prepare to defend his case, noting that the accused would not jump the bail or interfere in the investigation.
The Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Mopah, in 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.
