From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Two mortuary attendants at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, Edo State, were docked on Tuesday for allegedly stealing jewelries placed in the casket of a deceased woman valued at N4 million.

The accused, Osaro Benjamin (50), and Idowu Eriemator (26), were said to have conspired to commit the offence on May 12 at the morgue of the hospital located along Country Home Road, off Sapele Road.

While arraigning the suspects before chief magistrate Frank Idiake, of the Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court, Benin. police prosecutor, Emmanuel Obakpolor, said the gold jewelries were stolen from the casket of one late Esther Akora, including gold earrings, gold necklace and a gold wedding ring.

Obakpolor said the offences of conspiracy and stealing contraven the provisions of sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, the accused risk up to two and three years jail terms respectively.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each with a surety each in like sum.