A 32-year old man, Ezekiel Williams on Wednesday appeared before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing underground cables worth N1.6 million.

Williams, who resides at Kamazou community in Kaduna, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo told the court that the defendant and two others now at large, committed the offences at about 4.00 a.m on April 10, at the community’s power sub-station.

Mr Leo alleged that Mr Williams and his accomplices broke into the community’s power sub-station and stole underground armoured cables worth N1.6 million.

He told the court that residents of the community apprehended the defendant with a sack containing the stolen cables while his accomplices escaped.

Mr Leo said that the offences contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty of the charge.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Emmanuel held that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and must be gainfully employed.

He also ordered that the sureties should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Kaduna State government as part of the bail conditions.

The magistrate adjourned the case until May 13, for hearing.

(NAN)