A former Chairman of the Plateau chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Yakubu Chocho, and 3 three others were on Thursday docked before Kasuwa Nama Upper Area Court I, Jos, over alleged criminal conspiracy, mischief, and theft.
The three other accused persons are a cleaner, Mrs Helen Yakubu, a Guard, Mr Samka Gyol and a Carpenter, Mr Adamu Garba, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge labeled against them by the police.
Helen and Samka work in the State PDP office located on No 20/22, Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos, where items, including Laptop, Golden pen and tea condiments belonging the to Party’s Director of Admin, Mr Ishaku Chuntai, were stolen.
Mr Daniel Longwal, the Police prosecutor, told Malam Lawal Suleiman, the Upper Area Court presiding Judge, that on Aug. 11 the 4 accused persons conspired and broke into the office of the Director of Admin and stole his Laptop, Gold pen and tea condiments all amounting to N135,000.
Longwal also alleged that Chocho gave the order for the changing of the lock of the office of the Director of Admin of the party which resulted in the theft.
“My Lord, the accused persons criminally conspired to cause mischief and theft of a Laptop of N125,000, Gold pen of N6,000, and Tea condiments of N2,500, an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 53, 273 and 231 of the Penal Code of Plateau State.
“They conspired and broke into the office of the Director of Admin, Mr Ishaku Chuntai within the PDP office on Aug. 11,’ he alleged.
The Prosecutor quickly applied for an adjournment since the accused persons had not pleaded guilty to the charge.
But the defense counsel, Mr Panshak Dakyen, said even though he was against the application for an adjournment, he had an application for bail for the 4 accused persons.
The Judge, however, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N50,000 each and a surety each in like sum.
The case has been adjourned to Sept. 30 for definite hearing.
