"CRIME DOESN'T PAY: Teenager Caught Stealing Biscuits Worth N8,000!

A teenager, Simon Francis, was arraigned before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates' court on Thursday for allegedly stealing two cartons of biscuits worth N8,000. The prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 16, at about 6:00 pm at a shopping mall located in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State.

According to Insp Leo, the defendant and his friend, who is still at large, stole the biscuits and handed them over to their accomplice, not knowing that a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera had recorded their actions. He said, "On getting outside, the defendant was approached by a security guard and arrested while his friend ran away, leaving their bags with the stolen biscuits recovered."

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened the provisions of Section 217 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety, who must be employed. The surety must also provide a valid address and swear to an affidavit of means. The magistrate adjourned the case until June 26, for hearing.

Insp Leo told the court that the defendant and his friend had gone to the shopping mall with the intention of stealing. He said, "They stole the biscuits and handed them over to their accomplice, who was waiting outside. But unknown to them, a CCTV camera had captured their actions."

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant was arrested while trying to escape with the stolen biscuits. He said, "The security guard at the mall caught the defendant while he was trying to run away with the biscuits. His friend, however, escaped with the other bag containing the stolen biscuits."

Insp Leo said that the police were able to recover the stolen biscuits and the bag containing them. He said, "The defendant and his friend had stolen two cartons of biscuits worth N8,000. We were able to recover the stolen biscuits and the bag containing them."

The defendant, Simon Francis, told the court that he was not involved in the theft. He said, "I was not involved in the theft. I was just passing by the mall when the security guard arrested me."

However, the prosecutor, Insp Leo, told the court that the defendant's statement was not true. He said, "The defendant's statement is not true. The CCTV camera captured him and his friend stealing the biscuits. We have the evidence and it will be presented in court."

The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, adjourned the case until June 26, for hearing. He said, "The case is adjourned until June 26, for hearing. The defendant is granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety, who must be employed. The surety must also provide a valid address and swear to an affidavit of means."

The case has sparked reactions from residents of Kaduna State, who are calling for stiffer penalties for theft and other criminal offences. Some have also praised the security guard for his quick action in arresting the defendant and recovering the stolen biscuits.

The incident has also raised concerns about the security of shopping malls and other public places in Kaduna State. Some residents have called for increased security measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.