A Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja has remanded four persons for allegedly terrorising students in Adakolo, Felele, Bassa Village and Crusher suburb areas of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
They were arrested in connection with the recent attacks on the student-populated communities and dispossessing them of valuables such as smart phones, computers and other items.
The accused, Abbas Salisu, Gimba Ibrahim and Mamud Lawal Kwara, who had earlier confessed to have stolen 33 phones were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS), before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya filed a four count charges bothering on criminal conspiracy, theft of phones valued at one million naira, dishonestly receiving stolen properties and belonging to a gang of thieves that were stealing the belongings of students of Kogi State Polytechnic and Federal University Lokoja before the chief magistrate court urged the court to remand the accused persons at the Koton Karfe Medium Custodian Centre pending the investigation and hearing of the case.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, the trial chief magistrate, Abdullahi Mopah remanded the suspects in Koton Karfe custodial centre and adjourned the case till 9th of May, 2024 for hearing.
Similarly, the chief magistrate of the court remanded one Austin Obaje in Koton- Karfe Medium Correctional Centre for alleged impersonation , extortion and fraud.
Obaje was dragged before the Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly and consistently using the name of Department of State Services to defraud the unsuspecting public.
He was brought to court on charges that he has fraudulently obtained the sum of N300,000 from Dr. Simeon Oyigun Omakoji under the false pretence that he was sent by the state director, State Security Service, Mr Tosin Ajayi.
The chief magistrate, Mopah in his ruling, remanded the accused in the custody of Koton Karfe Correctional Centre and adjourned the case till 9th May 2024 for hearing and continuation.
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