A 24-year-old labourer, Fahad Bello, was arraigned on Tuesday before the Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly stealing building materials worth N7.8 million from his employer.
Bello, who resides in Kado Biko, Gwarinpa, Abuja, faced charges of criminal trespass, mischief, and theft. He pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Charles Okwudirichukwu of Jabi Park, reported the incident to the Life Camp Police Station on May 1.
He stated that while visiting his construction site in Gwarinpa, he heard a noise coming from the ceiling and discovered Bello cutting already installed electric wires. During the act, the defendant allegedly damaged a chandelier worth N400,000.
The prosecution further claimed that Bello had previously taken tiles valued at N1.3 million, electric wires worth N6 million, and ten aluminium windows estimated at N500,000. During the police investigation, Bello reportedly confessed to selling the stolen items to several individuals, including Nura Abubakar, Muhammad Muyi, Isha Abdullahi, and Ismalla Nura.
He also named an accomplice known as Meizamalu, whose full identity remains unknown and who is currently at large. Some of the stolen wires were said to have been recovered from Muyi.
The charges brought against Bello are in violation of Sections 348 and 288 of the Penal Code.
Chief Magistrate Musa Jobbo granted him bail set at N500,000 with two sureties of equal amount, requiring them to be property owners residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to June 30 for hearing.