A 21-year-old laundryman, Andrew Dominic, on Wednesday appeared in a Grade I Area Court in Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly stealing his employer’s generator set.
But he was quick to tell the judge that he is not a thief.
According to him, the owner is owing him money.
The police charged Dominic, who lives in Kubwa, Abuja with criminal trespass and theft.
The Prosecution Counsel, John Okpa, told the court that the defendant trespassed into his employer, Mr Edet Hope’s house in Kubwa on Jan.5. and stole a ‘Tiger Generator set’ worth N30, 000.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he alleged that the defendant had been arraigned on two occasions for similar offence.
The prosecution counsel said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 342 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, told the court that he did not steal the generator.
“The complainant owes me five months salary as his laundryman. He paid me for one month only, that was why I took his generator in lieu of the payment, ” The defendant said.
He told the court that he needed his money because he was not feeling well and was placed on medication.
The Judge, Mr Muhammad Adamu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one reasonable surety in like sum.
Adamu ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He adjourned the case until Feb. 17 for hearing.
