2 jailed over attempt to steal CBN cables

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, has sentenced two men, Emmanuel Ogwuche and Mohammed Alfa, to three years imprisonment for attempting to steal cables belonging to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ogwuche and Alfa were tried for criminal conspiracy, mischief, criminal trespass, and attempted theft, to which they pleaded guilty.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector James Kuegh told the court that Yunana Tilodozi, Senior Supervisor at CBN, Makurdi Branch, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on March 6, 2026.

Kuegh said Ogwuche and Alfa, on March 6, cut and damaged intrusion alarm cables valued N520,000 at the perimeter fence of CBN office in Makurdi.

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Kuegh told the court that the defendants jumped into the bank premises through the fence and attempted to steal cables and other property before being apprehended by security operatives on duty.

“Ogwuche was caught at the scene and handed over to the police. Alfa escaped from the scene but was later apprehended during police investigation,” he said.

The prosecutor added that the offences contravened Sections 97, 329, 349 and 95 of the Penal Code Laws of Benue, 2004.

Delivering judgement on Friday, March 13, the Chief Magistrate, Regina Alashi sentenced the duo to three years imprisonment with a fine option of N200,000 each.

The Star