Economic Recession Or Poverty? Four Abuja Barbers Caught And Arraigned For Stealing 2 Bags Of Rice

As the hardship continues to bite hard on the common Nigerians as a result of the economic recession, some barbers in Abuja, have been nabbed after breaking into a shop and making away with two bags of rice.

For allegedly stealing two bags of rice four Abuja-based barbers – Akuranya Matthew, 34; Emmanuel Kalu, 23; Sango Eze, 25; and Orji Ochekawo, 29; – were on Friday, arraigned in a Mararaba Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State.

According to a report by Vanguard, the suspects who resides in the Nyanya area of the FCT, were standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, shop breaking and theft.

Speaking at the court, the prosecutor, Herman Donald, revealed that Emmanuel Okpala of Mammy Road, Mararaba, who reported the matter at the ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters on Sept. 6, said the accused persons, who also have a barbing shop in the same plaza with the complainant at Mararaba, conspired among themselves and broke into the complainant’s shop.

He said they entered into the shop through the ceiling of their shop, stole two bags of rice valued N40,000 and cash of N100,000 which the complainant kept in his shop, adding that that one of accused was still at large and only the rice was recovered, while the money was yet to be recovered.

“In the course of investigation the two bags of rice were found and recovered in the accused persons ceiling,” he said, adding that the offences contravened sections 97, 347 and 287 of the Penal Code, which the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

Speaking in the defence of the suspects, Saidu Idris, made an oral application for the bail of his clients, adding that the accused persons would not jump bail or interfere with the investigation.

Ibrahim Shekaru who is the presiding officer, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N50,000 each with one surety each in like sum, saying the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and that they submit two recent passport photographs, a driver’s licence or National Identity Card.

He admonished the accused persons not to jump bail, not commit similar offence, not to temper with the police investigation and must present themselves to the court for their trial.

The judge added that failure to abide by this the accused persons would be remanded in keffi Prison and adjourned the case till Sept. 28 for further hearing.