A 37-year-old man, Edward Innocent, was on Thursday arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna for allegedly stealing his neighbour’s Lexus Jeep valued at ₦6.5 million.

 

Innocent, a resident of Kamazou, Kaduna, is facing charges of conspiracy and theft. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

 

Prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant, along with others still at large, stole the vehicle while the owner, Blessed Timothy, was away on a trip. The stolen vehicle is a Lexus Jeep with registration number KAD 442 GN.

 

Leo said that during police investigation, Innocent confessed to stealing the car and claimed he had handed it over to a friend to sell.

 

The offences, according to the prosecutor, violate Sections 78 and 217 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017. Section 217 carries a penalty of up to five years in prison if convicted.

 

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must be gainfully employed and present evidence of tax payments to the Kaduna State Government for the last two years.

 

The case was adjourned until July 24 for hearing.