A 25-year-old scavenger, Suleiman Muhammed, has appeared in a magistrates’ court in Gwagwalada, Abuja, for allegedly receiving stolen building materials.

The police charged Mr Muhammed, who lives in Aco Estate, Abuja, with receiving stolen properties.

The prosecutor, Abdullahi Tanko, told the court that Henry Akanda reported the matter at Iddo police station on June 1.

Mr Tanko said the complainant reported his workers, Praise Matins and Hope Ibrahim, that sometime in April, they dishonestly stole his iron rods, two vibrators of a moulding block machine and iron bending tools.

He said the workers sold the stolen items valued at N863,000 to the defendant at N35,000, adding that during the investigation, he confessed to buying the items from them.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provision of section 317 of the Penal Code.

Mr Tanko, in oral application, prayed the court not to grant the defendant bail in liberal terms, adding that cases like such have become so rampant in the area.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Olatunji Oladunmoye, admitted the defendant to N500,000 bail with two reasonable sureties in like sum.

Mr Oladunmoye said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction, adding that one of them must work in a reputable organisation.

He said the sureties must have verifiable addresses and adjourned the matter until July 4 for a hearing.

(NAN)