A 38-year-old driver, Farouq Babanle, was arraigned on Thursday before the Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing charcoal worth N730,000.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 12 at Kachia LGA, Kaduna.

According to Mr Leo, the defendant was given charcoal worth N730,000 to transport from Kachia to customers in Kawo Kaduna.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant stole the charcoal, sold it and diverted the proceeds to his personal use.

He added that after stealing the charcoal, the defendant ran to an unknown destination until he was seen and arrested on November 20 at Rigasa Kaduna.

He said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and that the court must furnish proof of tax payment to the Kaduna government.

He adjourned the case until December 19 for a hearing.

(NAN)