According to reports, a Jimeta Chief Magistrate Court in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, on Wednesday 31 January, has asked that three fishermen and two businesswomen be remanded at the correctional center for allegedly conniving to steal fish.
It was learnt that, Aminu Mohammed (27), Yauba Musa (25), Abubakar Mohammed (31), Halima Musa (21), and Amira Sani (23), all from Gerio Village, Yola, are going through trial before Chief Magistrate Awamem Fwa.
Reports say, the police charged the five defendants with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, criminal intimidation, theft, causing grievous hurt, and possession of stolen property.
Though, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, the Chief Magistrate, Â Fwa ordered their remand in prison until February 7 for further police investigation.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor Sgt. Emmanuel Paul informed the court that Abdulrazak Abubakar, Chairman of the Gerio River Fish Basin in Yola, reported the incident at Jambutu police station on January 27.
Also, he alleged that on the said date, the first, second, and third defendants connived criminally and invaded into the Gerio River Fish Basin, armed with knives, cutlasses, and baskets.
The accused allegedly stole various quantities of roasted and fresh fish belonging to many business owners in the community.
The prosecutor stated that while the defendants tried to abscond, the security guard, Haruna Jada, alerted but was beaten and injured by them.
During the police investigation, it was gathered that the stolen fish were found in the possession of the fourth and fifth defendants.
While objecting to the defendants’ bail application after their not-guilty pleas, stating the ongoing police investigation and potential risk of threatening the process if bail were granted, the prosecutor argued that the offenses contravened sections 79, 60, 333, 276, and 288 of the Adamawa State Penal Code Law of 2018.
Meantime, the Chief Magistrate fundamentally remanded the suspects in the correctional center and adjourned the matter until February 7 for hearing.
