Police Arrest 4 Pipeline Vandals

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring unit, Force headquarters Annex, Lagos, southwest Nigeria have arrested four suspected pipeline vandals at Konu area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

During interrogation, they allegedly confessed to the crime and pleaded for forgiveness. Items recovered from them according to the police, included two 50-litre jerry can filled with petrol and their operational truck.

After investigation, they were charged before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of felony, to wit, tampering with petroleum pipeline, property of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, the offences according to the prosecutor, DSP Odion Akhaine, are punishable under Section 3 (6) and 7 (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap.M 17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Count two of the charges read that you, “Idowu Jimoh, 40, Monsuru Balogun, 38, Sunday Oladapo, 52 and Bello Adewale ,36 and others at large on 14 January, 2012 at about 3 a.m. at Komu area of Ikorodu in the Lagos magisterial district did tamper with petroleum pipeline, property of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate, Alli balogun admitted them on bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum who must be blood relations.

She adjourned the matter for mention.

All the accused persons were however moved to Ikoyi Prison when they could not perfect the bail conditions before the court closed for the day.

—Paul Iyoghojie