The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police command have arrested a commercial cab driver, Owoicho Chukwu, for allegedly attacking and stealing a passenger’s belongings.
He was arraigned on Thursday, February 1, 2024 with charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, extortion, and theft, in Karu Grade 1 Area Court.
The 31-year-old defendant, who resides in Zuba area of Abuja, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
The prosecution counsel, Ayotunde Adeyanju told the court that the the victim who resides in Abacha Barracks, Asokoro, reported the matter at the Karu Police Station on January 5, 2024.
Ayotunde said that on January 4, the complainant boarded a Volkswagen Golf taxi, with registration number KWL 414 CG, driven by Owoichi from Abacha Road to AYA.
He said that on reaching Kugbo, the defendant stopped and picked two passengers, whom he conspired with, to forcefully attack the complainant with a knife and snatch her belongings.
He added that the belongings included one iPhone XX Max, valued at N250,000, cash of N5,000, and ATM card he used to withdraw the sum of N20,000, all amounting to N275,000. The proscutor said offence contravened sections 97(2), 292, and 287 of the Penal Code.
The judge, Aliyu Alhassan granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties, one of whom must be a religious leader. He adjourned the adjourned until February 12 for hearing.
