Man In Court over Theft Of Electrical Cables

A 46-year-old man, John Akpan, on Thursday appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing electric cables worth N25,000.

The accused, whose address is unknown, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 7 at 6:00 a.m. at the Senate building of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

“The accused broke into the institution’s premises and stole some cable wires.

“He was about escaping with them when he was caught by the security guard,” she said.

Olaluwoye said the offences committed contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for convicted offenders, while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy.

Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere, however, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She said both sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions and have their addresses verified by the Court.

The case was adjourned until Aug. 24, for mention.