A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the remand of a community leader, Abdullahi Inuwa, and two others over the alleged theft and sale of a government-installed solar-powered borehole meant for their community.
The accused persons, all residents of Shanu Village in Chanchaga Local Government Area, were arraigned for criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, and misappropriation after reportedly selling the borehole — valued at N5 million — to a scavenger for just N950,000.
According to the police charge, the borehole was donated by the Niger State Government for the benefit of Kwasau community. However, the suspects — Inuwa, Adamu Ibrahim, and Isyaku Tanko — allegedly conspired with others, including one person still at large, to dismantle and sell the borehole’s motor and solar panels.
Five concerned members of the village had reported the incident, prompting police investigation and subsequent charges under sections 97, 327, 286, and 309 of the Penal Code.
When the charges were read in court, the three accused pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bello Mohammed Beji, requested that the suspects be kept in custody pending the arrest of other accomplices who are still on the run.
Chief Magistrate Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed granted the prosecutor’s request and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Minna Federal Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to June 27, 2025, for further hearing.
