Police arraign dismissed officer over theft of Jonathan’s property

The Federal Capital Territory’s Command of the Nigeria Police on Tuesday arraigned a dismissed police officer, Musa Musa (23), before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Wuse, Zone 2, Abuja for alleged house breaking and stealing of valuable house items belonging to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) which was read to the defendant also alleged that Musa Musa , who was dismissed last week’s Thursday from the police force, broke into the residence of Jonathan located at No. 89, Fourth Avenue, Gwarimpa district, Abuja.

The report further alleged that, “the defendant stole house items including sets of furniture, six plasma television sets, refrigerators, air-conditioner units and box-loads of clothes such as designer suits imprinted with the former president’s name, male and female Ijaw traditional attires, lace materials and bowler hats.

But when the charge was read to the former police sergeant, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The Chief Magistrate, Mabel Segun Bello, later admitted Musa to bail, following an application by his lawyer. The magistrate also admitted the defendant to bail with a bond of N7million and one surety in like sum, saying that the surety must be a civil servant of any cadre resident in Abuja.

Magistrate Segun- Bello had further in her ruling, discountenanced the submissions of the prosecutor that the accused should be denied bail because he is likely to jump the bail .

She said the prosecutor failed to provide enough materials to show that the defendant will jump bail. She also did not agree with the submission of the prosecuting lawyer, Mr Stanley Nwodo, that the matter is of national importance .

The FCT Command had last week’s Thursday, dismissed the four police officers including Musa Musa following an orderly room trial for burgling the house of Jonathan.

Beside Musa, those dismissed are Sgt John Nanpak , Sgt Ogah Audu and Sgt Gabriel Ugah. Two other accomplices: Inspector Lengs Satlakau and Inspector Usman Wuduki who were also charged had their (orderly room trial) cases referred to AIG Zone 7 because of their ranks .

The Police had stated then that the errant policemen were found culpable in stealing items belonging to the former president such as, six television sets, fridges, air-conditioners, Ijaw attires and designer suits.

The force also added that the defendants stole the items and later sold them to traders at the Pankera second-hand market in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The force said, “The Command state that the main culprit F/No. 436691 Sgt Musa Musa will be charged to court for prosecution. While efforts have been intensified to arrest his accomplice one Mallam Shuaibu who is presently at large.”