A Dutse Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday discharged an unemployed woman, Priscilla Azine, accused of stealing a mobile phone and a pair of palm sandals valued at N484,000.
Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Alkali struck out the case following an application by Defence Counsel, Mr Sheriff Bello, citing the failure of the nominal complainant to appear in court.
Azine, who has no fixed address, was charged with criminal trespass and theft under Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code Law. She pleaded not guilty.
Bello, counsel to Legend Golden Care Foundation, relied on Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in support of the application.
He reminded the court that the magistrate had earlier warned that the case would be struck out if the nominal complainant failed to appear.
Alkali said Azine had been in a correctional centre since August because she could not meet her bail conditions. He noted that the matter had been adjourned four times and expressed displeasure over the continued absence of the complainant.
The magistrate also condemned the alleged use of police connections by some individuals to intimidate others.
He said Azine was allegedly in a sexual relationship with the complainant, Moruf Oloye, but that a misunderstanding between them reportedly led to her arrest.
Alkali subsequently ordered that the case be struck out for lack of representation by the nominal complainant.
Earlier, the prosecution alleged that Oloye, of Kubwa, Abuja, reported the matter at the Kubwa Divisional Police Station on July 23.
The prosecution counsel, Mrs Julianna Atinko, alleged that Azine broke into Oloye’s residence and stole his mobile phone and a pair of palm sandals.
