Two men, Ikechukwu Nwobodo and Okechukwu Benjamin, were yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly stealing batteries, valued at N3 million, belonging to MTN.
Nwobodo, 33, a technician and resident of Aguda, Lagos, and Benjamin, 32, an engineer in Yaba, Lagos, are being tried for conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Godwin Awase, alleged the accused committed the offences on May 21, at Ojodu, on the outskirts of Lagos.
He alleged the accused conspired to steal batteries, valued at N3 million, property of MTN.
Awase said the accused, who were contractors with the company, were caught by the security manager who was on a routine visit to the branch.
“The security manager saw a Ford bus in front of the company loaded with the company’ s batteries and he discovered 12 batteries were removed from where they were installed.
“He alerted management and the accused were arrested, and the batteries recovered from them,” he told the court.
The offences contravene sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (revised).
The accused pleaded not guilty.
They were granted bail at N500,000 each, with two sureties.
The Magistrate, Mr. J.I. Adigun, said the sureties should be employed with evidence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State government.
The case was adjourned till September 18 for mention.