The police on Thursday arraigned Unzweghel Terseer before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, Abuja, for allegedly stealing building materials worth N7 million.

The prosecuting counsel, Chinenye Okafor, told the court that the complainant, Oluwatosin Adegoke, reported the matter at Mabushi Police Station on July 16.

Ms Okafor alleged that the defendant stole cable wires valued at N6 million, tiles valued at N1,188, 680, two cutting machines costing N105,000 and N70,000, drilling machine worth N70,000 and chairs valued at N16,000.

The prosecution counsel further alleged that the defendant stole the items at the complainant’s site at Mabushi, Abuja while on duty as a guard.

She said that the offence contravened the provisions of section 289 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel Enagonimi Ekpede made a bail application citing sections 36(5) of the 1999 constitution, 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Ekpede added that If bail was granted, the defendant would provide a reasonable and reliable surety.

The Magistrate, Abubakar Sadiq, granted the defendant N8 million bail, with two sureties, one who must be in a public or private organisation.

Mr Sadiq said that the surety must provide confirmation letter, appointment letter and addresses of the sureties must be verified by the registrar of the court.

He adjourned the matter until September 2 for hearing.

(NAN)