4 docked over alleged theft of flyover aluminum rails in Lagos

FOUR unemployed men, who allegedly damaged and stole aluminium rails belonging to Lagos State Government on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The suspects are Sunday Udoh, 23, Isiaka Abubakar, 20, Mustapha Hasimu, 35 and Usman Mawa, 23.

The defendants were arraigned before Magistrate M.O Tanimola, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, damage and stealing.

The defendants, who reside at different parts of Mushin, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and were admitted each to a bail of N80,000 with one surety each in like sum.

Tanimola said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Earlier, the Police prosecutor, Insp. Aondohemba Koti told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 25 at 1:00 am at Airport Road, Toyota, Oshodi in Lagos.

He said that they conspired and vandalised the flyover aluminium rails, stole six pieces of the rails.

Koti said that the police who were on patrol caught the defendants at midnight.

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“The police on patrol heard noise on the bridge and decided to trace where the noise was coming from.

“They caught the accused using a saw blade to cut the flyover rails and had succeeded in cutting six pieces.

“They took to their heels, but four of them were arrested while others escaped while the six pieces of the iron and the saw blaze were recovered,” the prosecutor said.

The offences violated Sections 287, 352 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 287 carries three years imprisonment for stealing while section 352 attracts seven years for damage on conviction.

The case was adjourned until June 18 for the mention.