By Hauwa Gold

An applicant, Stephen Essien, on Thursday, appeared before a Karu Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a flat screen television worth N1.9 million from his neighbour.

The Police charged Essien, 30, of Kpaduma II, Asokoro, Abuja with criminal trespass and theft.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Mr Edwin Ochayi, told the court that on April 29, the complainant woke up and discovered that an unknown person had criminally trespassed into her house and stole an 85 inches flat screen television valued at N1.9 million.

Ochayi told the court that the complainant said she strongly suspected the defendant on the grounds that he is the manager of the estate and once deceived her to throw away her basement key.

He said that during police investigation, the defendant could not give satisfactory account of himself.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Umar Mayana, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1.5 million with two sureties each in like sum.

He said that the sureties must live within the court’s jurisdiction and one of the sureties must be a level 16 officer in the civil service.

The judge adjourned the case until July 10, for further hearing.