A sales representative, Emmanuel Effiong of Kubwa, appeared in the Dutse Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Thursday for stealing 105 planks of wood from his employer.

The police charged Mr Effiong with criminal breach of trust, theft and cheating. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Juliana Atinko, said the defendant committed the offence in February.

She said Ogbonna Chijioke, the shop owner, reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station.

The police stated that the defendant was employed as a sales representative in Mr Chijioke’s shop, where he sold building materials.

She said the defendant stole 105 planks of wood and other items, all valued at N850,000, and sold them to unknown persons.

The prosecutor informed the court that during the police investigation and interrogation, the defendant could not satisfactorily account for his actions.

The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of sections 312, 288 and 321 of the Penal Code Law.

Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Alkali granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and required two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must have reliable means of identification and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The senior magistrate adjourned the matter until August 3 for a hearing.

(NAN)