For allegedly destroying and stealing property worth N14.4m, the police on Thursday arraigned a sexagenarian, Japheth Chukwuyelu, before a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Igbosere.

The 61-year-old was arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, stealing and unlawful damage.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It was gathered that the defendant committed the offences sometime in December 2018 in the Festac Town area of Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, Ingobo Emby, Chukwuyelu stole some property, including 85 pieces of fence slaps worth N595,000; 40 pieces of fence pillars worth N320, 000; and 13 pieces of different types of engine boxes worth N13m, adding that the defendant also damaged a plank shop worth N500,000, all belonging to one Mr Moses Olaiya.

He noted that the offences contravened sections 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs F. F. George, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and one of them must be a blood relative of the defendant.