Three men – Abdul Sanni, Idris Sabiu and Bala Yohana – on Thursday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing and damaging drainage cover slabs valued at N10 million.

Sanni, 20, Sabiu, 32, and Yohana, 41, are standing trial before Magistrate Funke Ogun, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and wilful damage.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Inspector Esther Adesulu, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on March 26, along the Trade Fair-Iba Expressway.

They were alleged to have conspired to damage the slabs belonging to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, represented by one Agamayo Babatunde, by breaking them with a hammer.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendants allegedly stole the iron rods used in constructing the slabs, valued at N10 million.

She said the defendants were consequently arrested by the police.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The court granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum .

She adjourned the case until May 6 for hearing.

(NAN)