Africa-Press – Nigeria. A 27-year-old security guard identified as Sodiq Fasasi and two others have been arraigned in an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, for allegedly stealing a 17KVA Perkins generator valued at N2.5 million.
The suspects who were arraigned on Thursday, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing.
The generator set belonging to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, was stolen last Saturday at about 3:18 p.m. at the NAN office, Magbon, beside INEC office, Abeokuta.
The defendants, Sodiq Fasasi, a security guard assigned to protect NAN office, Lukmon Faruq, 26, and Taiwo Adeleke, 19, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Fasasi allegedly contacted his accomplices, who came with a vehicle to move the generator away.
The Prosecutor, Insp Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendants damaged the generator in the process of stealing it.
He said, “Unluckily for them, while they were trying to cart away the generator, some neighbours sighted them and raised alarm.
“The neighbours immediately alerted officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
“When interrogated, the defendants could not explain where they were taking the generator to, which led to their arrest.”
Olu-Balogun said the offences contravened Sections 516, 451, 383 and 390 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.K. Araba, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 each, with one surety each in like sum.
Araba ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending perfection of their bail.
She adjourned the case until Nov. 11 for hearing.
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