Omena Sunday, 24, and Bashir Sheu, 28, have been arraigned before Magistrate Court 1, sitting at Ogba, Lagos State on January 11, 2023 and Ifo Magistrate Court 2, Ifo Local Government in Ogun State on September 27, 2022 for vandalism and stealing transformer cables.
This occurred at Five Star Junction, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos and Otun Olori Akute area of Ogun State.
Omena, having pleaded guilty to Counts 1, 2 and 3 of the four-count charge, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for Count 1, one year imprisonment for Counts 2 and 3.
The sentences will run concurrently for one year with hard labour without an option of fine.
While Omena is serving his jail terms on count one to three, if he is found guilty on count 4, his jail term will be added to his running jail terms since the count 4 was adjourned to January 30, 2023 for continuation of trial.
In the same vein and according to the charge sheet, Sheu was charged on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing Ikeja Electric’s transformer cables, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 390 (90) of the criminal code volume 1 Law of Ogun State. 2006.
The charge was interpreted to the Defendant in Hausa language.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The matter came up again for judgment on January 18, 2023.
Sheu was found guilty of the two-count charge and sentenced to one-year imprisonment on the two counts, which shall run concurrently starting from September 22, 2022, being the date he was remanded.
The Acting Head of Corporate Communications Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, stated that increase in the rate of vandalisation of electricity installations has become worrisome to the Distribution Company.
According to Okotie, vandalism affects not just the distribution company, but also customers, both residential and commercial, as everyone is thrown into darkness over long periods until the assets are replaced.
He therefore called on all stakeholders to collaborate to curb the ugly trend, while encouraging Community Development Associations to make use of their vigilantes in addition to other security agencies and safeguard electrical equipment in their neighbourhood.
The Ikeja Electric spokesman also warned criminally minded individuals within the society to desist from nefarious acts such as energy theft, illegal connections, safety breaches, bribery/extortion, tampering, meter-bypass, harassment and assault of our staff while discharging their legitimate duties as these will hinder the Company’s smooth operations for excellent service delivery.
Okotie commended security agencies for providing support in protecting IE infrastructure and urged members of the public to report any suspected illegalities on electrical installations around them through Ikeja Electric’s Customer Care hotline 01-700 0250, 01-2272940 or send email to customercare@ikejaelectric.com<mailto:customercare@ikejaelectric.com>.
