Hon. Chocho, three others arraigned in court for criminal conspiracy and theft

Hon. Chocho, three others arraigned in court for criminal conspiracy and theft

By Jonathan Danboyi 

The immediate past Plateau State caretaker committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Yakubu Gwot Chocho and three others were arraigned on a one Count Charge.

Chocho who was arraigned at the Upper Area Court, Kasuwan Nama Jos with three others ( Adams Garba, Sanda F. K Tom and Helen Yakubu) for alleged Conspiracy, Trespass, Mischief and Theft.  

News Parrot reports that they were accused of breaking into the office of Director of Administration of the PDP and stole Laptop and other items worth a total sum of N133,500, thereby, committing an offence contrary to sections 59, 333, 313 and 273 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law.

When the case was called, the prosecutor, Inspector Daniel Dakwal sought the leave of the court to prosecute the matter.

 The application was granted. Consequently, the FIR was read out to the defendants thus;  On 11/08/2020 at about1245 hrs one Mr Ishaku of No. 1 Tat street Rahol Kanang Bukuru, Jos came to Anglo Jos Police Station and reported that he is the Director Administration, Peoples Democratic Party at No. 20/22, Yakubu Gowon Way Jos, he came to his office at about 0830hrs, he discovered that you, Mr. Gwott Yakubu Chocho of A. G. C Gural Candoly Gyel, Jos, conspired and trespassed into his office by employing the services of one Mr. Adams Garba of Hwolshe area, a carpenter who tampered with the locks of his keys by changing the keys with the help of one, Sanda F. K Tom, security at the Peoples Democratic Party Secretariat Jos and one, Mrs Helen Yakubu of opposite COCIN Church Dadin Kowa Jos who made available the key to the office as a result, you stole the following; (i) Compact Laptop HP valued N125,000 (ii) Tea Provision valued N2,500 and  (iii) Fontain Pen valued N6,000. Totalling N133,50 You thereby commit offences contrary to section 59, 333, 313 and 273 of the Plateau State Penal Code-Law.The firstThree defendants, namely; Gwott Yakubu Chocho, Adams Garba and Sands F. K Tom all pleaded not guilty to the charge while Helen Yakubu ( the 4th defendant), pleaded guilty to the charge. P. E Dakyen told the court that the 4th defendant might have not understood the charge and pleaded with the court that the plead of the 4th defendant be taken again. However, Hon. Suleiman Lawal, Sole Judge said it wasn’t necessary stressing that the onus lies with the prosecution to proved that the role she played amounted to a criminal act.Defence counsel then applied for the bail of the defendants. “In view of this circumstances, may I apply for the bail of all the accused persons”. Without objection from the prosecution, the defendants were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each or a suretee in like sum who must be a community leader.The case was adjourned until September 30, 2020 for hearing.

As at the time of writing this report, the accused were yet to meet their bail conditions