A trader, Promise Bassey, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Dutse Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing rice and beans.

The police charged the defendant with housebreaking and theft.

The prosecuting counsel, Babajide Olanipekun told the court that the complainant, Ekene Udeh of Dei-dei tomatoes market reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Dei-dei on September 1.

Mr Olanipekun alleged that the defendant criminally trespassed the complainant’s shop in the market and stole rice, beans, stock fish and groundnut oil.

The prosecuting counsel said the items were valued at N400, 000, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 347 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel Naomi Abang made a bail application for the defendant pursuant to Section 36 subsection 5 of the 1999 constitution, urging the court to grant it.

The Magistrate, Abdullahi Ilelah admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety, resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

Mr Ilelah ordered that the surety must depose an affidavit of means of livelihood and adjourned the matter until September 30, for hearing.

(NAN)