Two Ekiti men docked over alleged theft of iron rods, malicious damage

Two men, Mohammed Zazi and Ibrahim Mohammed, who allegedly stole 16mm iron rods being used for the construction of Ero bridge in Ido-Ekiti, were on Thursday docked at a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti.

The defendants, both of Ijemu Street, Sabo Area, Ido-Ekiti, are facing a two-count charge of stealing and malicious damage to property

The prosecutor, ASP Johnson Okunade, earlier informed the court that the defendants committed the offences on Dec. 30 at 1:30 pm, at Ero bridge on Ipere road in Ido-Ekiti.

Okunade alleged that the defendants stole 64 pieces of 16mm iron rods from the Ero bridge construction site.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendants willfully and maliciously damaged 64 pieces of 16mm iron rods by cutting off some parts of the iron rods which were used for the construction of the bridge with a saw blade.

According to him, the offences contravened sections 302(1) (a) (e) and 363 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Patrick Ayenimo, urged the court to grant his clients bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr A.O Adeosun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each and one surety each in like sum and then adjourned the case till Feb. 12 for hearing.