Man in court for allegedly stealing from own mother

A 30-year-old man, Tum Joseph, was docked at an Upper Customary Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, for allegedly stealing a mattress and clothes from his mother.

Joseph is charged with three counts of criminal intimidation, inciting disturbance of public peace and theft.

The police prosecutor, Insp Esther Bishen, told the court that the defendant’s mother, Bridget, who lives in Ungwan Fari, Kafanchan, reported the matter at the Kafanchan Divisional Police Station on July 7.

Bishen said the complainant was nursing her sick husband in the hospital when she received information that her son had carted away some items in the house.

She listed the items stolen to include one mattress, two containers of herbicide chemicals, 10 yards of wrapper and some of her husband’s clothes.

The police told the court that the mattress was recovered from the defendant during an investigation.

She added that the defendant also insults and calls his mother names.

The offence, she said, contravenes the provisions of sections 378, 76 and 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.

When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor prayed to the court for an adjournment to enable the police to call witnesses to prove its case.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr George Gwani, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in like sum who must be his uncle.

He adjourned the matter until Sept. 5 for a hearing.