Innocent Joseph, a 27-year-old motorcycle rider, was charged with cheating on Tuesday in a Grade I Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja.
The police accused the defendant, of Arab Road, Abuja, of theft, fraud, and criminal breach of trust.
John Okpa, the attorney for the prosecution, informed the court that Blessing Akoje, the complainant, reported the incident to the Police Divisional Headquarters in Byazhin on October 21, 2022.
According to Okpa, the complainant hired the defendant to take care of her Bajaj motorcycle, which is worth $395,000.
He said that the defendant handed over the motorcycle to an unknown person, who absconded to an unknown destination.
The prosecution counsel said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 312, 322 and 287 of the Penal Code.
According to section 312, whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to seven years or with a fine or both.
Section 322 states that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years or with fine or both.
Section 287 states that whoever commits theft shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to five years or with fine or with both.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preffered against him.
The defence counsel, Shedrack Osiaje, urged the court grant client bail, citing section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to back his plea.
The judge, Yahaya Sheshi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N400, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Sheshi said the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, must provide two passport photographs and a driver’s licence or national identity card.
He adjourned the case until March 22, for hearing. (NAN)
