Man, 39, faces alleged criminal breach of trust charges

A 39-year-old man, Mba Chijioke, was on Tuesday brought before a Wuse Zone VI Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, over alleged criminal breach of trust

Chijioke of Durumi area in Abuja, was charged with a-two count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP. Peter Ejike, told the court that the complainant, Amaechi Friday of Shop C 3, Abuja Shopping Mall, Wuse Zone III, Abuja, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Wuse, on Jan. 28.

Ejike said that sometimes in September, 2020, the defendant went to the complainant’s shop and collected 100 pieces of plastic chairs valued at N620, 000.

The prosecutor said that the defendant sold the plastic chairs and diverted the sum of N92, 000 for his personal use, out of the total sum of N620, 000 that he sold the chairs.

He said during police investigation, Chijioke admitted committing the offences.

According to Ejike, the offences contravened the provisions of Section 312 and 322 of the Penal Code Law.

The Defence Counsel, Mr W.I Achuke, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 158(152) of the Criminal Justice Act.

Achuke said that the defendant was a first time offender and would not jump bail.

The Magistrate, Linda Chidama, however, admitted the defendant to bail of N300, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Chidama said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

She ordered that the surety should present means of identifications, which must be verified by the court registrar.

Chidama adjourned the case until March 17 for hearing.