Abuja, June 21, 2025 — A man and a woman have been dragged before a Magistrates’ Court in Karu, Abuja, for allegedly stealing an Abuja driver’s mobile phone and ₦20,000 cash during a trip.

The accused, James Ayuba, 31, and Sophia Suleiman, 34, are facing three charges: theft, acting together, and being members of a criminal gang. Both denied the charges.

Prosecutor Olarewaju Osho told the court that the driver, Mr. Joseph Gbenda from Kubwa, reported the incident to the Karu Police Station on June 18.

According to Osho, the incident happened on June 17 when Mr. Gbenda picked up the two suspects from Area 1, Garki, and drove them to Nyanya. After they got out of the car, he discovered that his Infinix Smart 3 phone and ₦20,000 cash were missing.

Following the report, police traced the suspects to their hideout behind Karu cemetery, where the stolen phone was recovered. However, the cash was never found.

Further investigation revealed that the duo were part of a gang known for carrying out similar thefts. Shockingly, the prosecutor said they had just been released three days earlier on bail for a similar offence.

The charges brought against them are in violation of Sections 79, 288, and 306 of the Penal Code, and are punishable under the same laws.