Five men who allegedly removed and stole rail irons valued at N84.7 million, were on Tuesday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The defendants, Mohammed Idris, 22; Idris Yusuf, 36; Mohammed Useni, 25; Sank Aliyu, 21; and Abubakar Idris, 19, appeared on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
They however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
The prosecutor, Moses Uamdevmbo, an Assistant Supretendant of Police told the court that the offences were committed on May 21, at 8.00 a.m., at Mada Railway Station, Nasarawa state.
He said that the men had conspired to vandalise and steal 6,053 pieces of rails valued at N84.7 million being property of Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M.17, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Chief Magistrate, O.A. Komolafe granted the defendants N500,000 bail each with two responsible and gainfully employed sureties in like sum.
She directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the office of the Federal Director of Public Prosecutions in Marina and adjourned the matter until June 26 for mention.
NAN
