A 45-year-old trader, Garba Manu, was arraigned before the chief magistrate’s court in Mararaba, Nasarawa, on Tuesday on charges of theft and criminal intimidation.

Mr Manu, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution counsel, Hemen Donald, told the court that the complainant, Sale Alhassan, reported the matter at the Mararaba Police Station on June 26.

Mr Donald told the court that on the same date, Mr Manu allegedly broke into the A.B.A shopping mall and made away with pepper, ginger, cloves, garlic, and an umbrella iron, valued at N170,000, belonging to a shop owner, Ibrahim Mustapha.

He also said that the defendant was accused of stealing various bags belonging to another individual, Bashiru Abdullahi, valued at N280,000.

The prosecution counsel said that when plaza security arrested the defendant, he intimidated the complainant by threatening him with a machete. He added that during the police investigation, the defendant could not give a satisfactory account of his actions.

He said that the offences contravened sections 397 and 287 of the Penal Code.

Chief magistrate Joy Faruk admitted the defendant to bail of N200,000 with one surety in like sum. She ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Ms Faruk adjourned the matter until July 28 for a hearing.

(NAN)