Abdulrahman Bala and Zakariya Ayuba, two friends, were sentenced to be detained in custody on Tuesday by a magistrates’ court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, for allegedly stealing rail track equipment.
Bala and Ayuba were accused with criminal conspiracy, malicious harm, and theft by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The matter was postponed until October 9 for a hearing by the magistrate who issued the order, Michael Bawa.
Earlier, the NSCDC Counsel, Mr Marcus Audu told the court that matter was reported to the corps’ office in Kafanchan by the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Sept.10.
Audu stated that the two men broke into a train wagon at the railway station in Kafanchan and stole cross-arm, installer, trunk and single core wire.
He said they were later arrested by the railway vigilance team.
The prosecutor said the defendants confessed to the commission of the crime during the course of investigation.
The offence, he said, contravenes the provisions of sections 59, 313 and 271 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.
When the charge was read to them, they both pleaded not guilty.
Following their not guilty plea, prompted the prosecutor prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him call witnesses to prove the case against the defendants.