By Brave Dickson
A Port Harcourt magistrate court has docked one Emeka Christopher ‘m’ of 39 year old for allegedly stealing with the use of forged key in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The defendant (Christopher) was said to have used a forged key to gain entry into the shop of one Josephine Ukpong ‘f’ in Oyigbo LGA of the state and carted away with over N100, 000.
Upon his arraignment, the defendant was docked on five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and cultism which were punishable under sections 516A(1), 390(9), 467, 86(A) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol 11, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999 and Section (1) (2) of Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law No.6 of 2015 respectively.
According to the charge sheet, “that you Emeka Christopher ‘m’ and two others at large in Oyigbo LGA did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
“That you the said defendant at the same place did stole money to the sum of N107,000 and N12,000 respectively totally N119,000 belonging to one Josephine Ukpong ‘f’ and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37. Vol 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
“That you did forged a key to the shop of Josephine Ukpong with which her padlock was opened and her money was stolen and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol 11, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
“That you did intimidated and threatened to harm Josephine Ukpong or anybody who came to talk about her missing money and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 86(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria,”among other change.
Meanwhile, one Ibiye Goodhead ‘m’ has pleaded not guilty over allegation of maliciously damaging three padlocks valued N2,700 belonging to one Opuwari Goodhead ‘m’.
The defendant who was arraigned on two count charge was also accused of showing intentional disrespect to Senior Magistrate Rita Oguguo by unlawfully opening a room and shop’s padlock that have been under lock and key by an order of court.
The charge reads in part, “that you Ibiye Goodhead in August 15, 2019 at Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt did showed an act of intentional disrespect to the same magistrate of Senior Magistrate Court 14 by unlawfully opening a padlock of a room and a shop of the above address having been under lock and key by the order of the above court in suit no. PMC/108/2017.
“That you on the same date and place did unlawfully, maliciously damaged three padlocks valued at N2,700 belonging to one Opuwari Goodhead and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol 11 Laws of the Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.”
Presiding Chief Magistrate, S.D Andrew-Jaja who adjourned Emeka Christopher’s trial till September 9,2019 also adjourned the case involving Ibiye Goodhead to same date.
