Two labourers, Samuel Lajo and Umar Abdullahi, were on Thursday dragged before a Gwagwalada Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for allegedly stealing 300 bags of cement valued N1.650 million.

Mr Lajo, 35, and Mr Abdullahi, 30, both of no fixed addresses, are standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft.

The police prosecutor, Abdullahi Tanko, told the court that the defendants and others now at large, on January 22, conspired to steal 300 bags of cement belonging to D.I.K. Company, Abuja.

Mr Tanko told the court that an official of the company, Arinze Ifeanyi, reported the matter at the police station on January 22.

The prosecutor said that in the course of the police investigation, Mr Lajo was arrested and confessed to the crime and 26 bags of cement were recovered from him.

Mr Tanko said that the alleged offences contravened the provisions of Sections 95 and 287 of the Penal Code and punishable under same law.

The defendants after listening to the charges against them, however, pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

Mr Abdulkarim said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and produce valid identification.

The matter was later adjourned until March 13 for hearing.

(NAN)