By Glory Abuh-adejoh
The Police on Tuesday arraigned three men in a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for alleged criminal trespass.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants trespassed into the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) property and illegally connected electricity into their shops.
The defendants: Shuaibu Mansur, 20; Waraku Dahisu, 20, and Isiaku Salisu, 20, all of Area 1 Shopping Centre, Garki, Abuja, are facing a two- count charge bordering on criminal trespass and theft.
The prosecutor, Fidelis Ogugbe, told the court that one Emmanuel Okoli, staff of AEDC, Garki Abuja, on July 22, reported the matter at the Garki Police Station.
According to Ogugbe, the complainant said that on the same date at about 4:30p.m., he discovered that the defendants had trespassed into AEDC property located at Area 1 Shopping Centre.
The prosecutor alleged that on inspection, it was discovered that the defendants had been consuming electricity in their shops without authorisation.
Ogugbe said that during police investigation, the defendants admitted to have committed the offences.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Muhammed, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N20, 000 each, with a surety each in like sum.
The case was adjourned until Aug. 7, for hearing. (NAN)
Edited by Halima Sheji/Obike Ukoh
