On Tuesday, the police brought charges against a 36-year-old farm manager, Patrick Olusegun, in Abuja, accusing him of stealing chickens valued at N5.4 million. Olusegun, who resides in Lugbe, Abuja, pleaded not guilty during the hearing at Kado Grade 1 Area Court.
According to the prosecution led by Mr. Stanley Nwafoaku, the matter was reported by Mr. Ajayi Elijah of Wale John Farms, Lugbe, Abuja, at the Lugbe Police Station on September 8. Nwafoaku alleged that in July, the complainant had hired the defendant to oversee his poultry farm, which housed over a thousand birds.
Upon conducting an inventory of the birds, it was discovered that 542 birds, valued at N5.4 million, were missing. Consequently, the defendant was apprehended. During the police investigation, the defendant was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the disappearance of the chickens.
The prosecutor stated that this action is in violation of Section 289 of the Penal Code. Area Court Judge Mr. Mohammed Wakili granted the defendant bail in the sum of one million Naira, with one surety required to provide an equivalent sum. Additionally, the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. The case has been adjourned until October 10 for further proceedings. (NAN)