A 22-year old man, Abdulkadir Balarabe, was on Wednesday, arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Kubwa, Abuja, over alleged theft of rail track knots and sleepers..

Balarabe, whose address was not given, is being charged with criminal conspiracy, trespass, vandalism and theft, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, John Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Francis Enoch, of Kuchibiyu Village, reported the matter at the Police Area Command, Kubwa on March 7.

Mr Okpa said that the defendant and two others, now at large, went to the railway track in Kubwa and removed some knots and railway sleepers.

The prosecutor further said that the defendant was arrested at the Mango Tree area, Arab Road, Kubwa.

Mr Okpa said that the offence contravened Sections 97, 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The Defence Counsel, Linda Asekhauno, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail, citing Section 36 subsection 5 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Asekhauno urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously, and assured that a reliable surety would be provided if the bail application was granted.

The Magistrate, Nneaka Lesley, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N400,000, with one surety residing within the court’s jurisdiction.

Ms Lesley ordered that the surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 8, and that the surrey’s address must be verified by the court.

She adjourned the matter until April 22 for hearing.

(NAN)