By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

A 27-year-old security guard, Sodiq Fasasi, and two others have been arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, for allegedly stealing a 17KVA Perkins generator valued at N2.5 million belonging to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Sodiq Fasasi, Lukmon Faruq (26), and Taiwo Adeleke (19) were brought before the court on Thursday on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, and stealing.

According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred last Saturday around 3:18 p.m. at the NAN office located at Magbon, beside INEC office, Abeokuta. Fasasi, who was employed as a security guard to protect the premises, was alleged to have connived with his accomplices to steal the generator.

Police Prosecutor, Insp. Lawrence Olu Balogun, told the court that the defendants damaged the generator while attempting to move it from its position.

“Unluckily for them, some neighbours spotted the suspects while they were trying to cart away the generator and raised the alarm,” Olu-Balogun said.

“The alert led officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit to the scene, and upon interrogation, the suspects could not explain where they were taking the generator to.”

He added that the offences contravened Sections 516, 451, 383, and 390 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, 2006.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In her ruling, Chief Magistrate A.K. Araba granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of ₦500,000 with one surety in like sum. She further ordered that they be remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until November 11 for further hearing.