On Tuesday, a security guard, Kenneth Ifeasinachi, was arraigned before the Dei-Dei Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly receiving a phone call in a filling station.

The police charged the defendant with joint act, negligent conduct and mischief.

The prosecution counsel, Babajide Olanipekun, said while the complainant, Kelechi Osueke, was at Rain Oil filling station, Gwarinpa, to buy fuel in his vehicle, the defendant received a phone call.

Mr Olanipekun said the defendant took the phone to a fuel attendant, Nkechi Ezenma, while she was dispensing fuel in a customer’s motorcycle.

He said the defendant did the same, knowing that his action could cause harm and destruction of valuable property in the environment.

The offences, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 79, 196 and 336 of the Penal Code.

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

The defence counsel, Ogele Ngozi, applied for the defendant’s bail, pursuant to section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), saying the bail was at the court’s discretion.

Ms Ngozi urged the court to admit her client to bail in the most liberal terms, adding that he had a reliable surety and that if granted bail, he would not jump it.

The prosecution counsel objected to the bail application on the grounds that he might jump bail, as he had been released on police bail on another matter and jumped it.

The judge, Saminu Suleiman, admitted the defendant to N2.5 million bail, with one surety who must be a public servant on Grade Level 17 and resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

Mr Sulieman adjourned the matter until February 6 for a hearing. 

(NAN)