The police command in Benue State on Thursday arraigned a 27-year-old mechanic, one Fahad Mohammed, for allegedly defrauding a man of his BAJAJ motorcycle valued N500,000.

 Mohammed, who lives at No. 14, Kano Street, Wadata, Makurdi was charged before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court with criminal conspiracy, cheating and breach of trust.

 The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty when the case came up for mention.

 The prosecutor, Inspector Jonah Uletu told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 4. at Lagos Street, Wadata, Makurdi.

He said that the complainant, Godwin Asema, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Makurdi that he was defrauded of his Bajaj motorcycle.

Mr Uletu told the court, “Asema told the police that on November 2, he was looking for someone to sell his red coloured BAJAJ motorcycle with engine number DUMBUA29517, valued at N500 000 because of a pressing issue he had. He said that in the process of his search, he met one commercial motorcycle rider (name not known) who lured him to Mohammed, a mechanic at Lagos Street, Wadata, Makurdi.

 “He said that he handed his motorcycle over to them only to go back the following day and discovered that both of them had conspired, dismantled his motorcycle, shared the parts for themselves and absconded.’’ 

The prosecutor said that the defendant was arrested during police investigation, while the commercial motorcycle rider is still at large.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 97, 324 and 313 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

The prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was still in progress and asked for an adjournment.

 The Chief Magistrate, Kevin Mbanongun, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum.

 Mr Mbanongun adjourned the matter until January 15, 2026, for further mention.

(NAN)