KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the Lagos State Command have arrested a 20-year old man, Abubakar Awalu, who allegedly dug a ground channel and carted away armoured cables buried inside the Trade Fair Complex.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 20th July, 2024, at ASPAMDA extension inside Trade Fair complex in Lagos State, which is owned by the Federal Government.
The suspect, Awalu, allegedly went to the place at night, used a shovel to trace the cables and eventually removed them. While trying to escape, he was caught by the security guards on duty while his accomplices escaped.
He was handed over to the Police at Trade Fair Division and was detained for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to have done so with others now at large but declined to mention their names and took responsiblity for their action.
The Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ojo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charges read:
That you, Abubakar Awalu ‘m’, and others at large on 20th Day of July, 2024, at about 230Ohrs at ASPAMDA Extension at Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State, in the Lagos managisterial district, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
Count II: That you, Abubakar Awalu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did steal underground armoured cables valued Seven Millon Naira (N7,000,000.00), Property of Federal Government of Nigeria represented by one Tarsaa Fidelis Torkumah ‘m’, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
Count III: That you, Abubakar Awalu ‘m’, and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did willfully and unlawfully damage installed underground armoured cables by harvesting same with shovels and other implements valued Seven Million Naira (N7,000,000.00), Property of Federal Government of Nigeria represented by one Tarsaa Fidelis Torkumah ‘m’, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 350, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.M. Alade, granted him bail in the sum of N750,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 19th September, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.