A Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa state, has discharged a 28-year-old mechanic, Matthew Paul, of Aso Pada, who was charged with breach of trust and cheating.
The Presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, discharged the accused, after the prosecutor, Mr Friday Adaji, prayed the court to give him more time to get his witnesses ready.
Maga refused to grant the application on the grounds that the case had suffered several adjournments at the instance of the prosecution.
He said: “This case has suffered several adjournments without the prosecution calling on any witness.
“In the interest of justice and pity, the court hereby strikes out the matter and discharges the accused.
“The accused should write an undertaking that he will never engage in any crime again for the rest of his life.”
The accused, who was full of happiness, thanked the court and promised to be of good behaviour.
He said sometime in September 2013, the accused invited the complainant to join in a contribution he was handling.
He said when it was time for the complainant to collect his money; the accused refused to pay and converted the sum of N80, 000 to his personal use.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)