Four security guards were charged on Tuesday in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja for allegedly failing to prevent the theft of items assigned to them.
Mohammed Yahaya, Audu John, Benjamin Ali, and Yakubu Kure, all of Bethel Security Organisation in Abuja, are charged with negligent conduct on a single count.
The Prosecution Counsel, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the complainant, Aminat Salami, of GSM Village, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja, reported the matter on Feb. 27 at the Police Divisional Headquarters, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.
Nwafoaku also claimed that the complainant discovered her shop at the above-mentioned address had been broken into on the same date.
He alleged that about 60 different types of laptops valued at N11.9 million were stolen while the defendants, who were detailed to guard the property, were on duty.
The prosecutor also alleged that the defendants and one Ojodale Otene, presently at large, all failed to protect the property.
He also said that during police investigation, the defendants could not give reasonable account of themselves nor how the goods were stolen under their watch.
According to Nwafoaku, the offence contravenes the provision of Section 196 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Judge, Muhammed Wakili, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2 million each and a surety in like sum.
He directed that the sureties must provide passport photographs, any valid means of identification and a BVN printout from their banks.
He adjourned the matter until April 27, for hearing. (NAN)
