Policeman who robbed ex-President charged to court

The former sergeant had been identified as the main culprit of the four law enforcement officers who allegedly stole six television sets, fridges, air-conditioners, Ijaw attires and designer suits from the former President's property at No. 89 Fourth Avenue Gwarimpa district, after they were charged to protect it.

They had sold off the loot to traders at the Pankera second-hand market in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The magistrate, Mabel Segun-Bello, granted the accused a bail bond of N7 million and one surety in like sum, dismissing the prosecution's concerns that he was a flight risk.

The prosecutor, Mr Stanley Nwodo, argued that the offence contravened sections 353, 326 and 288 of the Penal Code Cap 89, Laws of the Northern Nigeria 1963.

She said, "The law is clear about right to liberty. Bail is granted to allow the accused attend trial. Where it is perceived that the accused may jump bail, he may be denied.

"Sufficient reason was not placed before the court that the accused will jump bail or a concrete evidence that the matter is of national interest."

The hearing was adjourned until October 3.

ALSO READ: 4 police officers dismissed for looting ex-President's house

After the discovery of the theft last month, an orderly room proceeding of the Nigerian Police Force found Musa, along with three others, guilty of gross misconduct.

The other officers, who are yet to be arraigned, are: John Nanpak, Ogah Audu and Gabriel Ugah.

The officers allegedly started looting the house piece by piece around March 2016, until it was stripped totally bare.