The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Umar Kagarko

  • Court remands habitual convict for Ipad theft

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the remand of 24-year-old Ibrahim Mohammed in prison custody for stealing an Aiwa Ipad valued at N180,000.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered the remand of the defendant as he pleaded guilty and adjourned the case till April 17 for conviction and sentencing.

    Kagarko, who recognised Mohammed as a `senior customer’ of the court, said: “Mohammed has appeared before me and has been convicted for various offences of theft more than 12 times before this appearance.”

    Mohammed of NEPA Junction, Apo, who pleaded guilty to the charges of criminal trespass and theft preferred against him, told the judge that it was the devil that caused him to steal.

    Earlier, prosecutor Fidelis Ogbobe, told the court that one Ifeanyi Kingsley of Phigba Sama, Apo, FCT, reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on March 3.

    “On March 3, Mohammed criminally went to the complainant’s shop and pretended to be a genuine customer.

    “He then stole the complainant’s Ipad valued at N180, 000 from the shop and disappeared until March 8, when he was sighted and arrested,” Ogbobe said.

    He also said that during police investigation, he confessed to have sold the Ipad to a prospective buyer.

    The prosecutor said that the offence was contrary to Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.

  • Welder arraigned for N450,000 robbery

    A 23-year-old welder, Ugwu Ugochukwu, was on Thursday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and robbery.

    The prosecutor, Patrick Ebong, told the court that one Ayekuemhe Victor of Gwagwalada, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwagwalada Police Station on Oct. 25.

    He said that the defendant, who resides at Giri village, Gwagwalada, Abuja, and three others now at large, conspired and robbed the plaintiff of N450, 000.

    According to him, the money belongs to the Grooming Centre Micro Finance Bank, Abuja.

    The prosecutor said that the defendant admitted committing the crime when he was arrested, while the offence contravened Sections 97 and 298 of the Penal Code.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000, with one surety in like sum, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He adjourned the case till May 15 for hearing.

  • Cook arraigned for criminal trespass, defamation of character

    A 37-year-old cook, Baana Umara, was on Thursday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for alleged criminal trespass and defamation of character.

    The defendant of Onitsha Crescent, off Gimbiya Street‎, Garki, Abuja, was arraigned on a four-count charge of criminal trespass, assault, intimidation and defamation of character.

    The prosecutor, Donatus Abbah, told the court that one Habibat Abba of Garki, Abuja, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on March 23.

    Abbah said that the defendant criminally trespassed into the plaintiff’s apartment and threatened to beat her up over a misunderstanding they had in the past.

    He said: “In the process the defendant called the plaintiff a prostitute and when she asked him to leave her house, he attempted to assault her.

    “It took the intervention of people present to prevail on the defendant to leave the plaintiff’s room.”

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 348, 397, 264 and 392 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N60,000 and one surety in like sum.

    Kagarko adjourned the matter till May 16 for hearing.

  • Man docked for alleged theft, gets N8.1m bail

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday granted N8.1million bail to 23-year-old man, Najim Janedu, docked for allegedly stealing 92 doors and windows worth N8million.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, granted the defendant bail after he pleaded not guilty to two-count charge of joint act and theft preferred against him.

    The judge also ordered the defendant to produce a reliable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He adjourned hearing till May 17.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Franklin Banjo of Suite 36, Lungi Barracks reported the matter at Apo Police Station on Jan.16.

    Ogbobe said that the complainant alleged that on Jan.15, he was on patrol of beats, as the Security Manager of Immaculate Security Service, Abuja.

    “It was while on patrol that he discovered that one Gowon Abraham, a security guard of the company, now at large, “criminally formed a common intention with the defendant,’’ Ogbobe said.

    “They stole 92 doors and windows worth N8million that were kept in the building,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor also said that during police investigations, the phone of Gowon Abraham who is now at large was found in the possession of the defendant.

    He said that the defendant could not “even give account of his action.’’

    The offences were contrary to Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

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  • Two men docked over N9.9m sales scam, locally made gun

    A Gudu Upper Area Court on Monday arraigned two men, Joseph Ikechukwu and Paul Nwogha allegedly accused of N9.9 million sales scam and unlawful possession of fabricated gun.

    The accused are facing a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and unlawful possession of locally made gun.

    The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty and requested for bail.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Donatus Abah told the court that Daniel Chukwukelu of Hammer Smith Company, Garki reported the case to the Area Commander Metro, Abuja on Nov.18, 2016.

    Abah said the matter was later transferred to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

    The prosecutor said the first defendant, Ikechukwu was a sales man at Hammer Smith Company and was entrusted with the company’s goods valued at N9.9 million for sale.

    “It was for him to make sales and remit the proceeds to the company.

    “Instead, he sold the goods and converted the proceeds to his personal use,” Abah said.

    Abah said when he was later apprehended over the matter, he said he gave the proceeds to Nwogha to keep for him.

    He also said that on Dec.12, 2016, the police traced the second defendant, Nwogha, to No. 44 Church Street, Jos, Plateau and executed a search warrant on him.

    The prosecutor said “one locally made gun and two live cartridges were recovered from him.”

    He said the second defendant, Nwogha, could not give a satisfactory account of the items discovered in his house.

    Abah said the offence was contrary to Sections 97, 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code.

    The Upper Area Court judge, Mr. Umar Kagarko admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N300, 000 each.

    Kagarko also ordered that each defendant should produce a reliable surety, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He subsequently adjourned hearing in the case till May 17.

     

  • Court strikes out alleged rape case for lack of diligent prosecution

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday struck out a rape case preferred against one Charles Adam, 30, for lack of diligent prosecution.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, struck out the case and discharged the defendant, after listening to the submission of the defence counsel, Mr Gilbert Okoh.

    Okoh had earlier prayed the court to strike out the case, as the prosecution had shown enough sign of lack of interest in the case.

    Citing relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Okoh said the case had suffered many adjournments at the instance of the prosecution.

    He said that while both the complainant and the prosecution were aware of the adjourned date for hearing, the prosecution and his witnesses were absent without any reason.

    “There is no information or letter explaining their absence.
    “It is against public policy to hang an accusation on the neck of a citizen and keep him perpetually bound in court.

    “Besides, the court is not a dumping ground of cases,” Okoh said.

    He urged the judge to strike out the case and discharge his client, who, he said, had been appearing voluntarily in court.

    “In considering the number of adjournments this case has suffered, it can be seen that the non-appearance of prosecution has offended sections of the constitution,” he said.

    NAN recalls that Adam, of Adamawa Street, Chika, Airport Road, was first arraigned on July 18, 2016, on a one-count charge of rape.

    He had pleaded not guilty.

     

  • Court remands three men over 600,000 dollars fraud

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the remand of three men, Rev. Paul Audu, Joy Ugochukwu and Chief Sunday Edodagha for alleged 600,000 dollars fraud.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered their remand till May 17, based on the request of the prosecutor, who said granting them bail would frustrate ongoing investigations.

    Kagarko added that their bail should come by way of motion.

    The men are facing trial on a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation, among others.

    Audu, 56, Ugochukwu, 43, and Edodagha, 27, all from Lagos State, denied committing the offences.

    The prosecutor, Mr Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Chief Ralph Obi reported the matter to FCT Command on March 16.

    Inah said that the complainant alleged that sometime in 2016, the defendants conspired, which led the complainant to transfer 600,000 dollars into the account of one of the defendants, Paul Audu.

    According to Inah, the defendants had assured the complainant that within two days of the transfer, “the equivalent sum of N203million will be transferred to Mr. Ralph Obi.’’

    He said that after the defendants collected the money, they kept threatening the life of the complainant, with their gang members and other assassins who are now at large.

    The prosecutor said that “the police are still tracking their operational hideout.’’

    He said that the offences contravened provisions of Sections 97, 322, 312, 397 and 177 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Man in court for purchasing stolen beer bottles

    One Yusufu Mohammed of Kabusa village, Abuja, was on Tuesday arraigned in an FCT Upper Area Court, Gudu, for purchasing allegedly stolen empty bottles of beer.

    Mohammed was arraigned on a count charge of dishonestly receiving stolen property from one Sabiu Abdulraham.

    He denied committing the offence, while the judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted him bail in the sum of N20,000.

    The judge also ordered the defendant to provide one surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till May 11 for hearing.

    Prosecutor Urom Out, had told the court that one Ogbona Collins of Kabusa village, reported the case at the Kabusa Police Station on Feb. 14.

    He said that a case of theft was reported against one Sabiu Abdulraham, while the case was later transferred to Apo Police Station.

    Otu said that police investigation revealed that the defendant purchased 30 empty beer bottles from Abdulraham, knowing that they were stolen.

    He said that the defendant purchased the bottles for N300, adding that the offence contravened Section 317 of the Penal Code.

  • Court remands man over ‘cow’ fraud

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a 25-year-old cattle rearer, Haruna Idi, over alleged ‘cows’ fraud.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, who gave the order adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

    Idi of Karu, Abuja, was arraigned on a four-count charge of theft, criminal intimidation, cheating and criminal breach of trust.

    He, however, denied committing the offences. Prosecutor Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Mr. Uche Francis of Ministry of Defence, Abuja, wrote a petition against the defendant dated Feb.1, and forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police.

    He said that the plaintiff bought 40 cows in 2013 and gave them to the defendant to rear for him.

    According to the prosecutor, he bought more cows in 2014 and gave them to the defendant.

    Inah said that recently the plaintiff asked Idi for the cows; he said that he used the N530,000 given to him in 2013 to purchase two cows and one ram.

    The prosecutor said that Idi further threatened to kill the plaintiff if he demanded for the cows again.

    He said that during police investigation, more than 60 cows were found in Idi’s possession, while the plaintiff’s cows were yet to be recovered.

    The offences contravened Sections 397, 322, 287 and 312 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Carpenter gets 1 year imprisonment for robbery

    A Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 37-year-old carpenter, Effiong Benson, to one year imprisonment for robbery.

    The convict, who resides in Kubwa village, pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of robbery.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, who sentenced the convict, however gave him an option of N50, 000 fine.

    Kagarko said that he gave the convict a light sentence because of his admission of guilt and plea for leniency.

    He warned the convict to desist from crime in future and pursue his skilled trade as a carpenter.

    “You should be ashamed of yourself, you are a carpenter and you still rob people.

    “You are looking for fast money when you should focus on your trade,’’ Kagarko said.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Joshua Ayanna, told the court that the convict was arrested on Jan.24.

    “He was arrested along Kubwa Federal Housing while trying to rob his victim of Nissan car, valued at N1.5million,’’ Ayanna said.

    He told the court that the convict “was arrested on the scene, while struggling with the car owner, when other motorists came in and apprehended him.’’

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 298 of the Penal Code.