A 40-year-old security guard, Adamu Yahaya, was on Friday arraigned before the Life Camp Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for allegedly poisoning his neighbours’ livestock, causing losses estimated at N2.7 million.
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Yahaya, who resides in the Idu Industrial Area of the capital, is facing charges of mischief, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt without provocation.
Prosecution counsel, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court that the case was reported on May 9 at the Karmo Police Station by the complainants, Kingsley Ayawa and Maywell Kanu. She said the defendant had previously threatened to harm the animals if they grazed on his farm.
According to Nwachukwu, Yahaya carried out the threat on May 8, allegedly poisoning the livestock, leading to the death of 20 goats and three sheep. When confronted, he was said to have attacked the complainants with a cutlass, injuring one of them. The police investigation reportedly led to a confessional statement from the defendant.
Although Yahaya pleaded not guilty, the court granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety. His lawyer, Lillian Ibrahim, had applied for bail, citing Yahaya’s cooperation with police and his existing administrative bail.
The court adjourned the case to July 3 for hearing.
