The trial was delayed due to the second Persecution Witness (PW 2); Stanley Opara not appearing took another shape in court on Monday as he informed the court that the accused admitted of stealing the N3.5million goldstud from Chief Gaskin Sobrasuaipiri’s residence at No. 227 Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
The PW2 who is an Inspector of Police attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Port Harcourt said in his evidence before a Magisterial Court sitting in Port Harcourt that the three accused were arrested and investigated by him.
Chima Ibe, the first accused was alleged to have stolen gold stud valued at N3.5m and in turn sold to the second accused, ThankGod Wopurum sometime in the month of May, 2012 along Niger Street, Port Harcourt at the cost of N300,000.
While the third accused, Ayuba Nurudeen at a latter date did purchase the same stolen goldstud from the said accused for N891,000 as alleged by the PW2 in court.
According to the PW2: “On the 12th day of May, 2012, there was a petition to the Deputy Commissioner of Police State CID. The case that was reported was stealing of gold stud valued N3.5m. the complainant was contacted and he confirmed the petition to be written by him through his lawyer. And also confirmed all the content of the petition as adduced. The first accused person was arrested. He admitted that on the 12th day of May 2012, he stole goldstud and sold to the second accused who admitted, but said the first accused did not tell him that the goldstud was stolen in turn sold it to the third accused person who admitted to have bought the gold stud at the amount of N891,000 and said it weighed 160kg.
The trial Magistrate, F.N Amanza, in her position, however, adjourned the case to the 10th, 12th and 24th of February 2014 for continuation of cross examination of PW2. ###
