Court discharges labourer charged with theft of tanker batteries

A Karu Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged a 21-year-old labourer, Zaradeen Sani, charged with theft of four batteries worth N600,000.

The Magistrate, Lami Ogohi discharged Sani, following an application by the prosecutor, Steven Osho, that the case be terminated due to lack of interest by the complainant, Mr Adoro Augustine.

Sani who resides at Nape Junction Apo, Abuja, was charged with criminal trespass and theft.

The Magistrate, while giving the judgment, said, “having heard the prosecution’s application to terminate the suit for lack of interest by the complainant, the case is hereby struck out.

“The defendant is also discharged of all criminal charges and the First Information Report (FIR) is hereby withdrawn”.

Earlier, the prosecutor, told the court that the complainant reported the case at Apo Police Station on Aug. 4.

He said that on the same date at 3.00 a.m, the defendant and two others now at large dishonestly trespassed into the complainant’s house without his consent.

He said the defendant stole four of the complainant’s tanker batteries valued at N600,000 and ran to an unknown destination.

The prosecutor said the defendant was later arrested.

He said that during police investigation, the defendant made a confessional statement.

According to him, the confessional statement led to the recovery of two batteries.

Osho told the court that the defendant’s friends made away with the other batteries

He said that the offences contravene Sections 79, 287 and 348 of the Penal Code.