Two labourers, Samuel Lajo and Umar Abdullahi, on Thursday appeared before a Gwagwalada Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory for stealing 300 bags of cement worth N1.6 million.
The defendants, Lajo, 35, and Abdullahi, 30, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Abdullahi Tanko, informed 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.
Tanko told the court that an official of the company, Mr Arinze Ifeanyi, reported the matter at the police station on January 22.
The prosecutor said that in the course of police investigation, Lajo was arrested and he confessed to the crime, after which 26 bags of cement were recovered from him.
Tanko said that the offences allegedly committed, 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.
Abdulkarim said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and produce valid identification.
The matter was later adjourned to March 13 for hearing.
