Man, 38, Arraigned Over Alleged Railway Clip Theft in Ikeja

 CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The defendant was arraigned on charge number 18H/46/24 before Magistrate Mr. L.A Owolabi, on a one-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful tampering with railway property.

According to the charge filed by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, through legal officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the incident was said to have occurred on September 9, 2026, at about 10:33 a.m. at the rail track along the Eldorado axis in Ikeja.

The charge sheet alleged that the defendant unlawfully disconnected, removed and tampered with rail clips, said to be property of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

The offence was filed as contrary to and punishable under Section 340 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, which deals with unlawful tampering and wilful damage to public infrastructure.

The charge was dated September 14, 2026, and signed by legal officers from the District Prosecutor’s Office, Ogba, on behalf of the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

When the charge was read to him in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, informed the court that the alleged act falls within the category of offences against public infrastructure and urged the court to ensure due process is followed.

Following the not-guilty plea, the defence counsel applied for bail on behalf of the defendant, assuring the court that he would be available to stand trial and would not interfere with investigation.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mr. L.A Owolabi granted bail to the defendant with two sureties.

The court stated that the sureties must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment, as part of conditions to ensure their credibility and traceability.

Pending the perfection of his bail conditions, the defendant was ordered to be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town.

The court adjourned the matter for further proceedings.

The case comes against the backdrop of repeated incidents of vandalism and theft of railway components across Lagos and other parts of the country in recent years.

Railway clips, tracks and other fittings are critical to safe train operations, and authorities have repeatedly warned that tampering with such infrastructure poses serious safety risks to passengers and can lead to derailment, service disruption and huge financial losses to the government.

Security agencies, including the NSCDC and the Nigeria Railway Corporation’s security unit, have in the past reported arrests linked to theft of rail clips and track materials, with some suspects prosecuted under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction.