Eight men were yesterday charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged pipeline vandalism and theft of petrol valued at N970, 000.
The accused are Fidelis Bayo, Awawu Motiu, Lawal Aliyu, Akorede Ogunde, Afeez Oladiti, Opeyemi Bolaji, Kola Waheed, and Rilwan Adewale.
They are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, vandalism and stealing.
The prosecutor, Mr Justin Enang, told the court that the accused, all residents of Alapere, a Lagos suburb, committed the offence on Aug. 13 at 1.00 a.m.
He said the accused conspired and vandalised NNPC pipeline in the area and siphoned about 10,000 litres of petrol valued at N970, 000.
He alleged that the accused sold the commodity at No. 52, Onikoro Agboyi in Alapere area Lagos.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Ona Onun, urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms, saying the offences are bailable.
Justice Mohammed Yunusa granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
The offences contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 2004 as well as Section 7(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
The case was adjourned to Nov. 11 for trial
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