Two men,

Dada, 29 and Ewena, 29,  who both reside in Festac area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of conspiracy, burglary, stealing and willful damage brought against them.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Tony Elibeh, told the court that the accused committed the offences with some others now at large on Nov. 23, 2016, at 1st Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

Elibeh said the accused broke into the workshop of one Shola Sanni and stole some mechanical tools, three laptops and a brain box, all valued at N820, 000.

He alleged that Ewena knew that the items were stolen but bought them at a cheaper rate from the other accused.

“Ewena was caught by some security guards with the items and he could not give satisfactory explanations on how he got the items.

“After much pressure, he took the guards to his accomplice’s hideout; Dada was arrested while the others escaped,’’ he said.

The offences contravened Sections 285, 307, 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 307 stipulates a seven- year jail term for offenders.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

Abolarinwa adjourned the case till May 17 for mention.