SUSPECT DIES IN POLICE CUSTODY IN ABUJA

A suspected electric transformer vandal  arrested by the police in Utako has died in the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja.

The suspect, Sunday Okpara, was receiving treatment at the hospital for machete cuts he sustained during a fight with security guards at Zankli Private Hospital, where he and his accomplice allegedly went to vandalise cables.

A police source who confirmed this to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said that the suspect died in the early hours of last Wednesday.

It had earlier been reported that the suspect  was arrested, penultimate Thursday, and taken to the hospital for treatment by the police before prosecution.

Meanwhile, his accomplice, Gabriel John, was arraigned in court for allegedly vandalising a transformer and stealing four length of 5c500-20 armoured cable.

John, a resident of Karmajiji, located around Airport Road, Abuja, was arraigned under sections 343, 79 and 288 of the Penal Code for criminal trespass, joint act and theft.

The prosecutor, Florence Avioboh, told the court that on June 23, one Usman Dauda reported at Utako police station that the accused and four others, three currently at large, vandalised a transformer and stole about four lengths of 5c500-20 armoured cable valued at N500, 000.

The prosecutor added that during police investigation, the accused persons confessed to the crime.

When these charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the presiding judge, Mohammed Ado, in the sum of N200, 000 with a surety who must either be the chairman or secretary of taxi drivers’ union. The case was adjourned to September 20, 2016, for hearing.