The police in Lagos on Wednesday charged a 29-year-old man, Joshua Adebayo, before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing electrical wires from street lights.

The defendant, whose residential address was not provided, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and  causing a breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 24 at about 4.00 p.m. at Glory Estate, Isheri Oshun, Lagos.

He alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by cutting electrical wires from street lights belonging to Adeniyi Lawal.

Mr Aigbokhan alleged that the defendant cut and stole 3×2.5mm electrical wires from the streetlights, worth N250,000.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 168(d) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 168(d) prescribes payment of a fine or three months imprisonment for breach of the peace, while Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing.

The Magistrate, K.A. Dosumu, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The court adjourned the case until May 19, for mention. 

(NAN)