A 31-year-old security guard, Dennis Didam, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, Abuja, for allegedly vandalising electrical cables worth N5.5 million.

The defendant was charged with criminal breach of trust by servant and theft.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Chinenye Okafor, told the court that the complainant, Utam Grela, reported the matter at Durumi Police Station on June 23.

Ms Okafor alleged that the defendant, a guard at Amspher Academy, Gudu, Abuja, vandalised 4mm and 25mm cable wires of the school valued at N5.5 million.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 314 and 289 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Defence Counsel, C.I Nnemeka, made a bail application pending the defendant’s trial, citing Sections 158 & 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Nnemeka assured that if bail was granted, the defendant would appear in court to stand his trial and would provide a surety.

The prosecutor, however, drew the attention of the court to the fact that the defendant absconded after his arrest, while it took a lot of resources to rearrest him.

Ms Okafor added that the defendant did not stay within the jurisdiction of the court.

The Magistrate, Ekpeyong Inyang, granted the defendant N5 million bail with two sureties with identifiable businesses or office.

Mr Inyang added that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means of livelihood, and adjourned the case until August 11 for hearing.

(NAN)