A 40-year-old man, Bakare Supo, on Wednesday appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo for allegedly stealing electrical wires valued at ₦680,000.
Supo, whose address was not provided, pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of stealing.
The prosecutor, ASP Johnson Pendosoji, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in July at about 1:30 p.m. at SOAS Estate, Adigbe, Abeokuta.
Pendosoji alleged that Supo, who operates a tailoring shop in the complex, stole electrical wires worth ₦680,000 belonging to the complainant, Patrick Akinbola.
He said the defendant had claimed that rats were causing a disturbance in the ceiling, allegedly using the explanation to cover up the theft.
According to the prosecutor, Supo repeatedly gave excuses when asked to invite an electrician to inspect the ceiling.
“Upon investigation it was discovered that Supo had stolen the electrical wires which led to his arrest,” Pendosoji said.
He said the offence contravened Sections 383 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Volume 1, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, A.Y. Morakinyo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦300,000 with one surety, who must be a registered bondsman with the Ogun State Judiciary.
Morakinyo ordered that Supo be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions and adjourned the case until November 3 for hearing.
