IKPONGETTE
V.
C.O.P.

NGWUTA JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): The appellant was the complainant in charge No. MEK/118C/2002 in the Magistrates’ Court, Eket, Akwa Ibom State. The 1st respondent was charged in count one of the two-count charge with stealing a speed boat valued at N300,000.00 (three hundred thousand naira), alleged property of IbenoPublic Relation Committee in possession of one Sievoadje Godwin Udi, contrary to section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 31 Vol. 2 Laws of Cross River State of Nigeria (as applicable to Akwa Ibom State). The second respondent was charged in count 2 of the charge with receiving the said boat from the 1st respondent knowing same to have been stolen, an offence punishable under section 427 of the Criminal Code. The offences were allegedly committed at Upenekang Beach, Ibeno, in Eket Chief Magisterial District of Akwa Ibom State, on 20 December 2001. At the trial before Udonwa Chief Magistrate II, Mr. A. M. Akpa Esq., held a watching brief for the complainant. He a…