A 25-year-old man, Gideon Abelo, has been arrested and arraigned before a magistrates’ court in Kaduna for allegedly stealing four pigs valued at N380,000.
Mr Abelo faces a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft. He pleaded not guilty to both counts.
The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, informed the court that the defendant, alongside two others still at large, committed the offences on 19 April at Maraba Rido, Kaduna. The stolen pigs belong to the complainant, Charity Abel.
“The defendant and his accomplices saw the pigs roaming the street. They fed the animals to sedate them, then stole them, believing no one would notice,” Mr Leo said.
He added that the suspects were about to drive away with the pigs when a passerby raised an alarm. Mr Abelo was apprehended on the spot, while the two others fled.
The offences contravene Sections 58 and 217 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017. A conviction for conspiracy carries a two-year jail term, while theft is punishable by up to five years.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety of the same amount. The surety must be a blood relative of the defendant and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case has been adjourned until 12 May for hearing.
Source: NAN
