The Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court in Benue on Friday sentenced two men, Emmanuel Ogwuche and Mohammed Alfa, to three years’ imprisonment for attempting to steal cables belonging to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Messrs Ogwuche and Alfa, who live in Wadata, Makurdi, were tried for criminal conspiracy, mischief, criminal trespass, and attempted theft, to which they pleaded guilty.

The chief magistrate, Regina Alashi, sentenced the duo to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine each.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp James Kuegh, told the court that Yunana Tilodozi, a senior supervisor at CBN, Makurdi branch, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on March 6.

Mr Kuegh said that on March 6, Messrs Ogwuche and Alfa cut and damaged intrusion alarm cables valued at N520,000 at the perimeter fence of the CBN office in Makurdi.

He said they jumped over the fence onto the bank premises and attempted to steal cables and other property before being apprehended by security men on duty.

“Ogwuche was caught at the scene and handed over to the police. Alfa escaped from the scene but was later apprehended during a police investigation,” he said.

He said the offences contravened Sections 97, 329, 349, and 95 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

(NAN)