Railway track vandalism charges against a man, Mubarak Lawan, were dismissed by the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State for lack of jurisdiction.
The 30-year-old was arraigned in court for allegedly conspiring with others between January 17 and 22, 2022, in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State, to vandalize lines owned by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The charges read in part as follows: “That you, Mubarak Lawan, from 17th to 22nd January 2022, in the Gwantu Community of Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired between you to commit a crime.
“That you, and others in general, at the said date, time and place in the aforesaid district, vandalized and stole 5,000 pieces of iron sleepers, worth N95 million; 2,000 pieces of railway tracks, valued at N125 million; and 20,000 pieces of Pandrol rail clips, worth N6 million, all valued at N226 million, owned by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The magistrate, Ms Folarin Williams, however, struck out the case, saying the court had no jurisdiction to hear it.
She said since the offense was committed in Kaduna State, it should be brought to the state where a competent court could hear the charges.
The investigating police officer, Sgt. Kayode Kazeem, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by our correspondent.
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