Two Arraigned OverN3m NITEL Cable Theft

Two men — Peter
Anosike and Ifeanyi Ani have appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with theft of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) cables valued at N3 million.
Forty-five-year-old Anosiike, a businessman, resides at No. 17, Sowemimo Street, Sabo Onigba area of Ojo, Lagos, while Ani, 26, a trader, lives at No. 40, Tunde Martins Street, Okokomaiko area of Lagos.
The two accused are facing conspiracy, stealing and offering gratification charges to a public official.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Friday Ekundayo, told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences on February  6 at 4.30 a.m. on Macdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He said the men and their accomplices stole NITEL cables valued at N3 million.
“The accused were caught in the act by a team of policemen on patrol led by Cpl. Olaoye Rafiu.’’
According to Ekundayo, the accused offered the policemen a bribe of N182, 000 to prevent their arrest which was rejected by them.
The offences contravened Sections 64 (1), (a), 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, he added.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.
Section 64 prescribes seven years imprisonment for offering gratification to a public official, while Section 285 provides a three-year jail term for stealing.
The Magistrate, Mrs Linda Balogun, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with a surety each in like sum.
She adjourned the case to March 12 for mention.