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A 22-year-old electrician, Morufu Dauda was, on Wednesday, brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State charged with stealing a street-light pole.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awaze, told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 18 at 10.50pm at Railway line, Opposite St. Sabainah Catholic Church, Agege.
He said that the accused, unlawfully, stole a street-light pole whose value was yet to be ascertained, being the property of the Lagos State Government (LASG).
“The accused unlawfully damaged a street-light pole in order to steal it,” he said.
Awaze said that a security guard stopped the accused when he saw him pushing a truck containing the pole.
“The security guard accosted the accused and demanded where he got the pole; the accused took to his heels leaving the truck after he was challenged by the security man.
“He was later arrested and handed over to the police,” he said.
The accused, who resides at Awori Street, Agege, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge of damage and stealing.
The offence contravened Sections 287 and 339 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 attracts three years’ jail term for stealing.
The magistrate, Mr J.A. Adigun granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000.
He directed that the accused must also produce two sureties who must be gainfully employed as part of the bail conditions.
He said that the sureties should show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG ) .
He adjourned the case until July 17 for mention. (NAN)
