A 29-year-old driver, Yusuf Musa, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing armoured cables.
The defendant, a resident of Rigasa Kaduna, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Baba, told the court that the defendant and two others now at large committed the offences on September 27 at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Maraban-Jos substation in Kaduna.
He said the Federal High Way Patrol team, led by Insp. Sule Tak, on September 27, intercepted a commercial bus with Reg. No XJ 315 SKK containing some stolen items.
“The stolen items are, 25 armoured cables, 2 copper pipes, 11 electronic transmission connectors and 3 mini transformer coils, the value of which is yet unknown, ‘he said.
Baba said the patrol team intercepted the bus with said items, adding that when the defendant’s alleged accomplice saw the patrol team they ran away, leaving the defendant behind.
He said the offences committed contravened Sections 59, 319 and 271 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
The Magistrate, Hajara Dauda, however, admitted the defendant on bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She said the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Kaduna State Government, as part of the bail conditions and should have their addresses verified by the Court.
The case was adjourned until October 31, for mention.