A 45-year-old trader, Garba Manu, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, over allegations of theft and criminal intimidation.
Manu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel, Mr Hemen Donald, told the court that the case was reported by the complainant, Sale Alhassan, at the Mararaba Police Station on June 26.
Donald alleged that on the same day, the defendant broke into the A.B.A Shopping Mall and stole pepper, ginger, cloves, garlic, and an iron umbrella valued at N170,000, belonging to Ibrahim Mustapha.
He further told the court that Manu also allegedly stole various types of nylon bags worth N280,000, belonging to Bashiru Abdullahi.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant threatened the complainant with a machete after he was apprehended by the shopping plaza’s security personnel.
Donald added that during police investigation, Manu failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for his alleged actions.
He said the offenses contravene Sections 397 and 287 of the Penal Code.
Chief Magistrate Joy Faruk granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like amount.
The court ordered that the surety must reside within its jurisdiction and adjourned the case until July 28 for hearing.
