HAIR STYLIST FACES COURT CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING CUSTOMER’S N80,000, ATM CARDS

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On Wednesday, a 30-year-old hairstylist named Martina Auta was charged with stealing N80,000 and two ATM cards from her client.

The Narayi, Kaduna-based defendant entered a not guilty plea to the two counts of theft and breach of trust.

According to Insp. Chidi Leo, the prosecutor, the defendant committed the charges on March 20 at 3:00 p.m. in the Barnawa neighborhood of Kaduna.

Leo informed the court that the defendant had taken two ATM cards and N80,000 from Mrs. Rose Adams’s handbag when she was there to have her hair done.

“The defendant, after sending her apprentice on an errand, stole the money and ATM cards from the customer’s purse in the salon when the latter stepped out to make a call,” the prosecutor said.

According to him, another customer, who walked in precisely at that time, caught the defendant removing the stolen items from the bag.

He said the offenses contravened Sections 244 and 271 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

“Section 271 attracts a prison term that may extend to five years or a fine equivalent to twice the value of the stolen item, or both if found guilty.”

The defendant was given N100,000 in bail by the magistrate, Mr. Ibrahim Emmanuel, along with a corresponding amount from one surety.

According to Emmanuel, the surety needs to own landed property in the state and be a blood related of the defendant.

The surety must also give the Kaduna State Government proof that they paid taxes for the two prior years.

After then, Emmanuel postponed the hearing until May 6. (NAN)