A 21-year-old man, Shuaibu Aliyu, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Senior Magistrates’ Court Dutse, Abuja for allegedly stealing a generator belonging to a mosque.

Aliyu, a security guard resident in Sagwari Duste,who is facing a one-count charge of theft pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, told the court that the complainant, Ukasha Adam of Sagwari Duste, reported the matter at the Duste Police Station on June 10.

Mr Olanipekun said the complainant discovered that a thermocool generator valued at N150,000, which had been kept inside the mosque was missing.

He said that while they were searching for the generator, it was traced to the defendant.

According to the prosecutor, police investigations led to the recovery of the generator from Aliyu.

He added that the defendant claimed he purchased the generator from an unidentified person for N35,000 but could not provide any proof of purchase.

Mr Olanipekun informed the court that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The cpunsel to the defendant, Naomi Abang, urged the court to admit her client to bail, since the generator had been recovered.

Senior Magistrate Yusuf Alkali ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody pending ruling on his bail application.

The case was adjourned until June 29 for ruling. (NAN)