Two artisans were on Tuesday arraigned in a Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly  stealing iron pipes from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The police charged Victor Obeka and  Monday Maham with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief and theft.

The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court the complainant, Thompson Nicholas of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, reported the matter at the Wuye Police Station on May 9.

Ms Nwachukwu informed the court that at about 9: p.m on May 9, the defendants trespassed into the stadium, destroyed and stole iron pipes worth N2 million.

She said the stadium internal security guards caught the defendants at the stadium gate while attempting to escape.

The prosecutor stated that during police investigation, the defendants made confessional statements admitting they committed the crime.

Ms Nwachukwu said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 348, 327 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.

The Chief Magistrate Musa Jobbo admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

Mr Jobbo ordered that the sureties must be property owners in the FCT and must present the documents for citing in the court registry.

He ordered the the sureties must produce reliable means of identification and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The chief magistrate adjourned the matter until July 3 for hearing.

 (NAN)