Ikeja Electric,has warned criminals against energy theft and assault on its staff.
The Acting Head of Corporate Communications Ikeja Electric, Mr Kingsley Okotie,who conveyed the warning in a statement,said the electric firm frowns at
nefarious acts such as energy theft, illegal connections, safety breaches, bribery/extortion, tampering, meter-bypass, harassment and assault of the company’s staff while discharging their legitimate duties as the development will hinder the company’s smooth operations for excellent service delivery.
The company’s latest warning came on the heels of recent prosecution of two vandals by magistrate courts in Lagos and Ogun.
He deplored increase in the rate of vandalization of electricity installations has become worrisome to the distribution company.
According to him, vandalism affects not just the distribution company but also customers, both residential or commercial, as everyone is thrown into darkness over long periods until the assets are replaced.
He implored all stakeholders to collaborate to curb the ugly trend, while encouraging Community Development Associations (CDA) to make use of their vigilantes in addition to other security agencies and safeguard electrical equipment in their neighborhood.
He 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.
Premium News report that Omena Sunday,and Bashir Sheu were arraigned before the Magistrate Court 1 Mushin, sitting at Ogba Magistrate Court on the 11th of January 2023 and Ifo Magistrate Court 2, Ifo Local Government in Ogun State on 27 September, 2022 respectively for vandalism and stealing transformer cables at Five Star Junction Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos and Otun Olori Akute area of Ogun State.
Omena was sentenced to six months imprisonment for count one, one year imprisonment for count two and three of the charge accordingly which would all run concurrently for one year with hard labour.
Omena is serving his jail terms on count one to three.
Besides,Bashir Sheu aged 28 and others at large was arrested and arraigned before Ifo Magistrate Court 2, Ifo Local Government in Ogun State on 27 September 2022.
The defendant was charged on a two-count charge on conspiracy and stealing Ikeja Electric’s transformer cables thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 390 (90) of the criminal code volume 1 Law of Ogun State. 2006.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matter came up again for judgment on 18 January 2023.
Bashir was found guilty of the two-count charge and sentenced to one year imprisonment on the two counts which would run concurrently starting from 26th September, 2022 .