No fewer than seven men, who allegedly robbed a textile trader, Alhaji Hassan Ishaku, while he was observing evening prayers inside a mosque at the Rafindadi area of Katsina have been remanded in the prison custody, Punch Metro reports.
The accused, who appeared before a Katsina State Magistrates' Court on Friday, were charged with criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
The police said the crimes were contrary to sections 96(2),(a)and 306 of the Penal Code and the Robbery and Firearms Act, LFN of 2004, (as amended).
According to Punch Metro, the suspects are Aliyu Arab, alias kolo; Amadu Suleiman, alias Jimmy; Murtala Ghali, alias Nasara; Hassan Lawal, alias Rugged; and Ibrahim Haruna, alias Baba Iro.
The others are Bishir Ishak, alias Tinkiya; and Muntari Saidu, alias Maisalati. They are all residents of Mobil Rafindadi Quarters in Katsina.
The accused have been remanded in the prison custody till August 23, 2017 when their case would come up for mention.
The police, in the First Information Report filed on the case, said, "At 1930 hours of that day, the suspects conspired and armed themselves with cutlasses and knives and went to Masallacin Mallam Barau Quarters,Rafindadi, Katsina and attacked one Alhaji Hassan Ishaku of Alibaba Quarters."
Items allegedly stolen from Ishaku included five yards of milk colour textile materials valued at N12,000; 10 yards of green textile materials valued at N19,000 and two pairs of sandals valued at N12,000.
The police put the total value of the items at N43,000.
The prosecuting counsel for the police, Inspector Sani Ado, told the court that investigation was still in progress on the case.
The presiding magistrate, Hajiya Falile Dikko, adjourned the case till August 23 and directed that the accused persons should be remanded in the prison custody till then.
She told the seven accused persons that they were brought before her for "cognisance'' purpose, adding that legal advice from the state Ministry of Justice would determine whether they would be tried for the offence or not.
Fadile explained that it is only the high court that has jurisdiction to try armed robbery-related cases.
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