By Milcah Tanimu

Two men, Stephen Dauda, aged 38, and Christian Thomas, aged 40, appeared before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, facing charges related to the alleged theft of a car valued at N3.5 million.

The defendants, both without fixed addresses, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and theft brought against them.

According to Inspector Chidi Leo, the prosecution, the defendants, along with others at large, reportedly committed the offenses on February 24 in Goni-gora along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

It is alleged that Dauda, Thomas, and their accomplices stole a Toyota Corolla car, registered as MIG 149 GK, belonging to Mrs. Rita Raymond, from where it was parked.

Following a report filed by the owner, an investigation led to the arrest of the defendants.

The charges against them contravene sections 281 and 217 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017, carrying penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment for theft and two years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N100,000 each, with two sureties each required to be employed and residing within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned until April 22 for further proceedings.