Court remands scavenger for alleged criminal trespass, theft

An Upper Area Court sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, has ordered that a 22-year-old scavenger, Dauda Alhassan, be remanded in the correction centre for alleged criminal trespass and theft.

Judge Yahaya Sheshi adjourned the matter until Aug. 21 for hearing.

The police charged the defendant, who resides in Tipper Garage, Kubwa, Abuja, with criminal conspiracy, trespass, theft and causing hurt which he pleaded not guilty.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr John Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Mr Samuel Udama, had reported the matter at Kubwa Police Station on Aug. 4.

Okpa alleged that the defendant trespassed into the complainant’s residence and stole two shoes valued at N17,500, one iron drum cover valued at N5,000 and a cooking stove valued at N6,000.

Other items are one tray pan of N3,500 and a head pan valued at N3,000.

He added that the defendant was chased while he attempted to escape and in the process, he tore the complainant’s jeans trouser and inflicted an injury on him.

The offence contravened the provisions of section 288 of the Penal Code.

Quoting section 288, Okpa said, ”Anyone who commits theft in or from a building used as a human dwelling or custody of property, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.

The prosecution counsel also drew the attention of the court to the fact that the defendant was of no fixed address and could jump bail if granted.