An Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court in Ebonyi on Monday remanded two men in custody at the correctional centre over alleged stealing of building materials worth about N200 million.
The accused persons, Nnamdi Osakwe and Sunday Okonkwo are standing trial before Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha.
Onuoha, in her ruling, urged the counsels to go back and prepare themselves for hearing and adjourned the matter until February 8.
The counsel for the defendants, Marshal Ogbu expressed hope that the defendants would have justice.
“Yes, they are still remanded in prison because they were unable to perfect the bail; the matter has been adjourned until Feb. 8 for hearing and hopefully, justice will prevail,” Ogbu stated.
Franklin Ngwu, a witness, in his testimonies said the accused were caught and arrested while committing the crime in a construction site belonging to Ebonyi government on August 30, 2020.
Ngwu, Special Assistant to Gov David Umahi on Road Maintenance, told the court that the defendants stole the building materials, which include iron at the site of the ongoing construction of the state owned shopping mall at the popular Speradeo junction, Abakaliki.
“The defendants entered the site on that day, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 and stole different sizes of iron materials.
“When I saw them, I called the attention of the military personnel and they apprehended them and handed them over to the police.
“The items stolen were recovered, including 29 pieces two inches angel iron, five by six and five by eight; the total of stolen items in the site is N200 million worth of iron material,” he stated.
The matter is between Ebonyi State government and the accused persons.
Oluchi Ibam, counsel for the state government, refused to comment on the matter.
“I am working for the state government and I would not want to say anything,” Ibam stated.
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