By Kenneth Madaki 

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‎Two artisans were, on Tuesday, arraigned in a Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly stealing iron pipes from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

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‎The police charged Victor Obeka and  Monday Maham with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief and theft.

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‎The defendants however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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‎The Prosecution Counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court the complainant, Thompson Nicholas of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, reported the matter at the Wuye Police Station on May 9.

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‎Nwachukwu informed the court that at about 9: p.m on May 9, the defendants trespassed into the stadium, destroyed and stole iron pipes worth N2 million.

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‎She said the stadium internal security guards caught the defendants at the stadium gate while attempting to escape.

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‎The prosecutor stated that during police investigation, the defendants made confessional statements admitting they committed the crime.

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‎Nwachukwu said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 348, 327 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.

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‎The Chief Magistrate, Musa Jobbo, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

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‎Jobbo ordered that the sureties must be property owners in the FCT and must present the documents for citing in the court registry.

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‎He ordered the the sureties must produce reliable means of identification and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

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‎The chief magistrate adjourned the matter until July 3 for hearing.