By Taibat Ummi Yakubu 

 A 24-year-old domestic worker, Stephen Ajumogobia, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court over allegations of stealing food items and cash belonging to his employer.

Ajumogobia, a resident of Narayi area of Kaduna State, is facing a one-count charge of theft.

According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly committed the offence on May 28 at Barnawa, Kaduna, where he was employed as a domestic staff.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that Ajumogobia unlawfully took several household items, including 16 packets of spaghetti, four bottles of red wine, four cartons of noodles, one bag of rice and 28 tins of Titus sardines. He also allegedly stole N300,000 in cash from his employer, Mr John Amos.

Leo said the value of the food items was yet to be determined at the time of filing the charge.

The prosecutor further informed the court that the complainant reported the incident to the police, leading to the defendant’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

According to him, the alleged offence contravenes Section 217 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, which prescribes a prison term of up to five years for anyone found guilty of theft.

When the charge was read to him, Ajumogobia pleaded not guilty.

In his ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate directed that the sureties must be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payment. He further ruled that one of the sureties must be a relative of the defendant.

The case was subsequently adjourned until June 28 for hearing.