The Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, has stated that four persons were arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s court for vandalising properties belonging to the company.
The defendants were caught stealing, damaging, and vandalising cables, transformers, and other equipment before they were arrested and charged in court.
In a statement signed by Head of Corporate Communications and Strategy, Babatunde Lasaki, EKEDC said on March 10, 2023, one Mustapha Yusuf, was arraigned, on a two-count charge of malicious damage to ladder and assault.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000.
Also, Lawal Isah was arrested on February 26, 2023, for vandalising 30 metres of 150mm (about 5.91 inches) core electric cables servicing Bank Road, Ikoyi, and the transformer in front of No 1 Olumegbon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
He was charged with stealing and malicious damage. Lawal who pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge was granted bail in the sum of N500.000.
He was remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Furthermore, on March 17, 2023, Puttu John Gongse was arrested at Ikoyi, Lagos, while attempting to steal and damage 30 metres of 150mm single-core armoured cables servicing the transformer at Parkview Estate valued at N500,000.
He was arraigned on March 21, 2023, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail to the tune of N200,000.
In another development, Abdullahi Sulaiman was nabbed stealing cables of the EKEDC valued at N500,000 on March 1, 2023, at Oropo Area of Ansaruddeen Badagry in Lagos Magisterial District.
He was arraigned on March 3, 2023, where he pleaded guilty.
In the statement, Lasaki stated that vandalism was one of the leading causes of poor power supply within EKEDC’s operation network. He then assured customers that the electricity distribution company would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice and faced the full wrath of the law.
He further called on members of the public to report suspicious activity around its infrastructure to the nearest EKEDC office or via any of the company’s official complaint channels.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
