The police on Tuesday arraigned two minors and a 22-year-old man, Muhammad Mustapha at the Karu Grade I Area Court, Abuja for allegedly stealing soft drinks worth N48,000.

The police charged the defendants with three counts of joint acts, criminal trespass and theft.

They, however, denied committing the offence.

The Prosecution Counsel, Vincent Osuji, told the court that the complainant, Mrs Mary Ogobuegu, reported the matter at the Karu Police Station on Nov 9.

“Ogobuegwu alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves, trespassed into her business premises and stole some soft drinks.

“The drinks include 16 packs of pet gold drink, five packets of mama Big Coke, Energy drinks and two packs of 5alive, all valued at N48,000.

“During (the) police investigation, some of the stolen drinks were recovered,”

Osuji said.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 79, 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Abdullahi Jibrin, ordered the defendants to produce one surety each who must be a civil servant and adjourned the case until Nov. 27 for hearing.