DDC machines theft: Minor’s age stalls trial of suspects

Four suspects arrested in connection with the theft of 20 Direct Data Capture Machines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport could not be arraigned on Wednesday, because there was a minor among them.

The suspects were arrested by the police after 20 DDC machines were allegedly stolen from the Cargo Terminal of the airport.

It was, however, an interesting drama as the suspects were first taken to Magistrate Court 7 within the premises of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to Chief Magistrates’ Court 13 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, then to the Family Court 6 at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court and eventually to Magistrates’ Court 9, Ikeja where they could not be arraigned because it was already 3.20pm.

When the suspects, three men and a woman appeared before Senior Magistrate Fimisola Azeez of the Chief Magistrate’s Court 13, within the international wing, she said they could not be arraigned because one of them, Suleiman Isa, is 17 years old.

According to the magistrate, Isa ought to be arraigned before a juvenile court and not a regular court.

They are expected to be arraigned on Thursday (today) before a Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja.

Source:Punch