Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Kogi state police command has arraigned three suspects in connection with terrorising and robbing students communities of Adakolo , Felele , Bassa Village and Crusher in the outskirts Lokoja, kogi State capital.

They were arrested in connection with the recent attacks on the Students populated communities and dispossessing of valuable such as smart phones, computers and others.

The suspects Abbas Salisu who admitted to have stolen 33 phones , Gimba Ibrahim and Mamud Lawal Kwara who claimed to be phone Technicians alleged bought stolen phones from the prime suspect were arraigned by the Department of State Service before the Chief Magistrate Court in Lokoja on Tuesday.

The Prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Yahaya who filed the case before the Magistrate Court urged the court to remand the accused persons at Koton Karfe Mediun Custodian centre pending the conclusion of the investigation of the Case.

The Charge sheet reads,”That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male, Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25yeas), male and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, on or about of February 2024 in Lokoja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did criminally conspire to commit an illegal act to wit; theft of phones, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) of Kogi State Penal Code.

That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male, between the month of February and March 2024, in Adankolo and Felele Area of Lokoja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole thirty-three (33) phones (Android and button) valued at one million Naira (N1m), thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of Kogi State Penal Code.

That you, Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25yeas), male and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, between the month of February and
1March 2024, at Paparanda Square Lokoja, dishonestly received stolen phones from Abbas SALISU knowing fully well that they are stolen properties, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 317 of Kogi State Penal Code.

That you, Abbas SALISU (22years), male, Gimba Danlami IBRAHIM, (25yeas), male and Mamud Lawal KWARA (26years), male, at Lokoja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, belong to Gang of thieves associated for the purpose of stealing along Adankolo, Ibro Motor Park, Felele No Time Lodge Okadigbo, Kogi State Polytechnic environs and Federal University Lokoja, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 306 of Kogi State Penal code.

After the four charges were read to hearing of the suspects , the denied all the allegations saying it was false.

However the Defence counsel , Mr.M.A. Abbas sought adjournment to enable him prepare formal application for bail.

Meanwhile, the trial Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Mopa remanded the suspects in custody at Koton Karfe Correctional centre.

He therefore adjourn the case till 9th for hearing.

In a related development ,the Chief Magistrate Court has remanded one Austin Obaje in the Custody of Koton- Karfe Medium Correctional Centre for allegedly impersonation , extortion and fraud.

Obaje was dragged before the Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly and consistently using the name of DSS to defraud the unsuspecting public.

Obaje was brought to Court on count charges that the accused person has fraudulently obtained the sum of three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) from Dr. Simeon Oyigun Omkoj who is the Chairman Kogi East Neighbourhood watch), under the false pretence that you were sent by Mr Tosin Ajayi, the State Director, State Security Service, Kogi State Command, thereby committed an offence of cheating by personating punishable under Section 322 of Kogi State Penal Code.

And that the accused person also committed an extortion by deliberately putting one Dr.Simeon Oyigun Omakojin, the Chairman Kogi East Neighbourhood watch), in fear of death to wit: that the Immediate Past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The Prosecution counsel , Yahaya Olarewaju orally applied for the remand of the accused person pending the conclusion of the investigation.