A security guard, Unzweghel Terseer, was on Thursday arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Wuse, Abuja, for allegedly stealing building materials valued at over N7 million from a construction site.
The police prosecutor, Chinenye Okafor, told the court that the complainant, Oluwatosin Adegoke, reported the alleged theft to the Mabushi Police Station on July 16.
Okafor said the defendant, who was employed as a guard at the construction site in Mabushi, allegedly stole a range of materials including cable wires worth N6 million, tiles valued at N1,188,680, two cutting machines costing N105,000 and N70,000 respectively, a drilling machine valued at N70,000, and chairs worth N16,000.
She noted that the offence contravenes Section 289 of the Penal Code.
Terseer pleaded not guilty to the charge.
His counsel, Enagonimi Ekpede, applied for bail, citing Sections 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He assured the court that the defendant would present a reliable surety if granted bail.
Presiding Magistrate Abubakar Sadiq granted the defendant bail in the sum of N8 million with two sureties, one of whom must be employed in either a public or private organisation.
The sureties are required to present a letter of appointment, a confirmation letter, and verifiable addresses. The court registrar was directed to verify the documents.
The case was adjourned until September 2, 2025, for hearing.