THREE businessmen — Halidu Umoru, Saleh Abbah and Muhammed Garba — who allegedly broke into a secondary at night and carted away iron rods worth N100, 000, were on Thursday hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The accused were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Tanimola, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The men — Umoru, 35; Abbah 27; and Garba 20 — who reside at Mushin in Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty.

But Police Prosecutor Aondohemba Koti told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 7 at Ladipo, Mushin.

He said the accused stole the iron rods from Oduduwa Secondary School, Mushin.

“The accused entered the school premises at night and stole the iron rods.

“They were, however, caught by some security guards who recovered the rods from them and handed them over to the police,” he said.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year imprisonment for stealing while Section 411 prescribes two years for conspiracy.

The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with one surety each in like sum.

She said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until June 27.

– June 21, 2018 @ 14:17 GMT |