On Thursday, two men, Mohammed Zazi and Ibrahim Mohammed, who allegedly stole 16mm iron rods to construct the Ero bridge in Ido-Ekiti, were arraigned at a chief magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti.

Mr Zazis, 36 and Mohammed, 35, of Ijemu Street, Sabo Area, Ido-Ekiti, are facing a two-count charge of stealing and malicious property damage.

The police prosecutor, ASP Johnson Okunade, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on December 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Ero Bridge on Ipere Road in Ido-Ekiti.

Mr Okunade alleged that the defendants stole 64 pieces of 16mm iron rods of unknown value from the Ero bridge construction site.

He also alleged that the defendants willfully and maliciously damaged 64 pieces of 16mm iron rods, a value not yet known, by cutting off some parts of the iron rods used to construct the bridge with a saw blade.

According to him, the offences contravened sections 302(1) (a) (e) and 363 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Patrick Ayenimo, urged the court to grant his clients bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The chief magistrate, Mr A.O. Adeosun, granted the defendants bail of N100,000 each and one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until February 12 for a hearing.

(NAN)