Two Arraigned For Stealing 391 INEC’s DDC Machines

Posted by admin INEC Politics, Latest Politics Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

The police, in Lagos on Friday, arraigned two men before a Magistrate’s Court in Yaba for allegedly stealing 391 Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The accused, Charles Awopetu (46) and Essien Godwin (42), were charged with conspiracy to commit felony and theft of the items.

The police alleged that the accused and others now at large, stole the machines from INEC’s central store located on NYSC compound, along Babs Animashaun Road, Surulere, Lagos, on 16, October, 2011.

The offences are punishable under Sections 409 and 285 (1)(6)(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011, even as the police said it had not ascertain the actual number of the machines that were stolen.

Awopetu and Godwin, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Counsel for the accused, Roberto Gilbert, urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.

Gilbert said the defendants’ right to bail was guaranteed under Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, the prosecutor, Chukwu Agwu, a Superintendent of Police, opposed the bail application.

He said the defendants could leave the country once they were granted bail and that they would interfere with trial.

-Tribunewp_posts