What would have been a menial case of theft between two lovers has escalated in the Maraba area of Nasarawa state leading to the intervention of the law.
A 25-year-old driver, Sunday Emmanuel, on Monday appeared before a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for allegedly stealing his girlfriend’s cell phone.
Emmanuel, who resides at Aku Village, Mararaba, is standing trial on a charge of theft.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, told the court that the accused girlfriend, Daina Evans, of Uke, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba, on March 18.
Adaji said that on March 10, at about 6 p.m., the accused visited his girlfriend at home and stole her cell phone valued at N5, 000.
He said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
“I did not steal her cell phone. She came up with the story this because I said I am not going to marry her.
“She threatened to deal with me and I was arrested for a crime I did not commit,” the accused told the court.
The presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, granted the accused N50, 000 bail with one surety in like sum.
He said that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must present one passport photograph or a National Identity Card and adjourned the case till April 4 for further hearing. (NAN)