2 security guards face N3.5m cable theft charge

TWO security men, Mustapha Muhammed and Samson Aderinola, on Wednesday, appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with cable theft valued at N3.5 million.

The accused 00 Muhammed, 29, and Aderinola, 43 whose residential addresses were not given, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Jimoh Joseph told the court that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 16, 2017, at Goshen Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

He said the accused with a man (Joseph Mathew) still at large conspired and stole 75 metres of cable worth N3.5 million, belonging to the Goshen Estate, their employers.

The offences contravened Sections 287 (7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 (7) stipulates seven years in jail, while Section 411 provides a penalty of two years for conspiracy.

The first accused, Muhammed, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge, while the second accused, Aderinola denied the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Oshin, however, granted Aderinola bail in the sum of N250,000 with one surety in like sum.

She said the surety must be gainfully employed with an evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until Feb. 8 for facts and sentence of the first accused and trial of the other accused.