By Ranti Thomas
A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Abubakar Jaji to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for vandalizing iron railings on a section of the Third Mainland Bridge. The ruling was delivered by Justice John Tehember Tsoho.
During proceedings at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Mr. Suleiman I. Suleiman, presented a one-count charge against Jaji, which the court read aloud before the defendant pleaded guilty. An EFCC operative subsequently reviewed the facts of the case.
The prosecution urged the court to convict Jaji based on his guilty plea and the evidence provided. With no objection from the defense, Justice Tsoho found him guilty as charged.
Counsel for Jaji pleaded for leniency, noting that his client was remorseful and had vowed to turn over a new leaf. Despite this, the court sentenced him to five years in prison without an option of a fine.
It was recalled that Jaji had previously been charged in August 2025 for vandalizing the same bridge and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu. During that trial, he admitted removing over 35 pieces of the bridge’s iron railings and selling each for between N25,000 and N30,000.
The one-count charge read before the court stated that Jaji, on September 27, 2025, in Lagos, maliciously damaged iron railings on a section of the Third Mainland Bridge at Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos, in violation of section 1(6)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In a related development, the Lagos State Government has begun monitoring vehicle speeds on the Third Mainland Bridge to improve safety. Authorities say the initiative aims to prevent accidents and protect both commuters and the bridge structure. Officials added that enforcement measures will be stepped up along the bridge in the coming weeks.