Mararaba – A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court in Nasarawa State, on Thursday discharged a 25-year-old labourer, Musa Abdullahi, for lack of diligent prosecution.
Abdullahi was arraigned on April 4 on a two-count charge of trespassing on property and stealing two sheep valued N60,000.
The presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, struck out the case and discharged the defendant when the Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, said he could not locate the complainant.
“This is a case of theft brought by the Commissioner of Police; the prosecution has failed to produce any witness in the matter as they could not locate the complainant.
“I, hereby, invoke Section 165 of the Criminal Procedure Code to strike out the matter and discharge the accused for want of diligent prosecution,” Maga said.
Maga advised Abdullahi to desist from crime as the court would not take it lightly with him again if he was brought before it.
Adaji had told the court that Nashir Ibrahim of Ungwar Mallam Bawa, Mararaba, lodged a complainant against the defendant at the Aso Pada Police Station.
He said the defendant entered into the complainant’s field where he breeds sheep at Mararaba and stole two sheep valued N60,000.
The prosecutor said Abdullahi was caught by the complainant’s son who saw him in the process of untying the sheep.
Abdullahi pleaded guilty to the charge, saying it was the handiwork of the devil.
“I don’t know why I did it; I think it is the handiwork of the devil; please forgive me, I will never do it again,” he pleaded. (NAN)
Court discharges labourer of stealing 2 sheep
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