By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
16 people connected to the damage of public assets have been arraigned by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command.
On Wednesday, the suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, to “face charges of vandalising critical government property and the unlawful possession of stolen items,” according to FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh.
According to a statement released by the PPRO on Friday, the arraignment came after a “intensive crackdown on scrap yards, commonly known as panteka, culminating in the arrest of multiple suspects and the recovery of substantial quantities of stolen and vandalized government assets.”
Streetlights, armoured wires, and manhole covers are among the stolen goods that have been found.
The arrests came about as a result of intelligence-led operations carried out in different parts of the FCT.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” at their arraignment and have since been placed under detention at the Keffi Correctional Centre while additional proceedings are conducted.
Following that, the case was postponed for a further hearing until January 30, 2025.