The police on Monday arraigned three men, Aliyu Isah, Eze Chibuzor and Yusuf Ismaila, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing property worth N1.9 million.

The defendants, Messrs Isah (35), Chibuzor (22), and Ismaila (20), face three counts of conspiracy and stealing before Magistrate Lateef Layeni.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired to commit the offences in August around 11:00 a.m. at Aspamda Extension, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.

Mr Uche alleged that Messrs Isah and Chibuzor dishonestly stole one long, thick square pipe valued at N1 million.

He also alleged that Mr Ismaila stole quantities of 10mm iron rods valued at N900,000.

According to the prosecutor, the defendants cut the iron rods with a saw, bent them into sizes and packed them into a sack.

He said the property belonged to Aspamda, Trade Fair Complex, represented by Onyinye Onuchukwu.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 280, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The court granted each defendant bail of N500,000, with two sureties each in like sum.

The court also ordered that one of the sureties must be a community leader and that the sureties must provide evidence of tax payment to the state government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until September 2 for mention. 

(NAN)