The Police on Wednesday arraigned 57-year-old security guard, Ayuba Akawu, in a Masaka Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State, on a count charge of negligent conduct.

The prosecutor, Frank Swem, told the court that one Sunday Onoja of Internal Nigeria Limited, Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Masaka, on July 11.

Swem said that on the same date at about 7.40 p.m., the accused, a security man at the ‘Airtel mast’, located at Jeun Madaki Masaka, called the complainant on phone.
He said that the accused called Onoja and informed him that unknown persons had made away with 18 backup batteries, valued at N1.4million, from the generator that powered the mast.
He added that when he was arrested and interrogated, Akawu confessed to be asleep during the period the batteries were stolen.
The prosecutor added that the offence contravened Sections 196 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge, Mr Yakubu Ishaku, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1million and a reliable surety in like sum and adjourned the case until July 31 for hearing.

(NAN)