Three men were on Thursday arraigned in an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, Ogun State, for allegedly stealing a 17KVA Perkins generator valued at N2.5 million, belonging to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The defendants, Sodiq Fasasi, 27, Lukmon Faruq,26, and Taiwo Adeleke, 19, who have no fixed address, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing.

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

The Prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on October 25, at about 3:18 p.m. at the NAN office, Magbon, beside INEC office, Abeokuta.

Mr Olu-Balogun said the defendants conspired among themselves to steal the generator and its coil, valued at N2.5 million, property of NAN, Abeokuta office.

He said the defendants damaged the generator in the process of stealing it.

According to him, the first defendant, Fasasi, was a security guard assigned to protect the NAN office.

The prosecutor said Fasasi allegedly contacted his accomplices, who came with a vehicle to move the generator away.

He said, “Unluckily for them, while they were trying to cart away the generator, some neighbours sighted them and raised the alarm. The neighbours immediately alerted officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Nigeria Police Force. When interrogated, the defendants could not explain where they were taking the generator to, which led to their rest.’’

Olu-Balogun said the offences contravened Sections 516, 451, 383 and 390 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.

The Magistrate, A.K. Araba, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

Ms Araba ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending perfection of their bail.

She adjourned the case until November 11 for hearing.

 (NAN)