A 45-year-old man, Sanni Moses, on Thursday, appeared before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of cable wire worth N18 million inside the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).

The Prosecutor, Inspector, Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 6, 2025 at 3:20p.m. at the Maintenance Building,, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife.

Mr Osanyintuyi said that the defendant unlawfully and wilfully damaged high tension electricity cable on the pole, property of IBEDC.

According to him, the defendant also unlawfully and illegally tampered with high tension electricity cable, property of IBEDC.

The prosecutor added that the defendant allegedly stole high tension electricity cable valued at N18 million, property of IBEDC.

He stated further that the offence was contrary to section 383 and punishable under sections 390(9) and 458 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, however, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of: wilful damage and stealing.

The Magistrate, Taofeek Badmus, granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Badmus added that the sureties must swear to affidavit of means of resident within the court jurisdiction, and one of them must be gainfully employed, while the second surety must deposit N250,000 as bond to the court registry.

He stated further that the sureties must possess three consecutive years tax clearance certificate, which must accompany the bail bond.

The magistrate added further that both sureties must present valid means of identifications as Nigerian citizens.

Mr Badmus ordered the remand of the defendant in Ile-Ife Correctional Centre pending the perfection of bail.

The case was adjourned until May 8, for hearing.

(NAN)