By Olatunde Dodondawa
A magistrate court has remanded four persons for vandalising properties belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
They were caught stealing, damaging, and vandalizing cables, transformers, and other equipment before they were arrested and charged in court.
This was made known in a statement signed by the EKEDC Head of Corporate Communications & Strategy, Mr. Babatunde Lasaki.
According to the press statement, Mustapha Yusuf was arraigned on the 10th of March 2023 on a two-count charge of malicious damage to ladder, and assault. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges then bail was granted to him in the sum of ₦100,000.
In the same vein, Lawal Isah was arrested on 26th February 2023 for vandalizing 30 meters of 150mm (about 5.91 in) core electric cables servicing Bank Road, Ikoyi, and the transformer in front of No 1 Olumegbon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. He was arrested and charged with stealing and malicious damage. Lawal pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge and was granted bail in the sum of N500.000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). The defendant is to be remanded in prison pending his bail perfection.
Puttu John Gongse was also arrested on the 17th of March 2023 at Ikoyi-Lagos. He attempted to steal and damage 30 meters of 150mm single core armored cables servicing the transformer at Parkview Estate valued at N500,000 (Five hundred thousand naira only). He was arraigned on the 21st of March 2023 where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail to the tune of N200,000 (Two hundred thousand naira only).
Abdullahi Sulaiman was caught stealing cables belonging to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company valued at N500,000 (Five hundred thousand naira only) on the 1st of March 2023 at Oropo Area of Ansaruddeen Badagry in Lagos Magisterial District. He was arraigned on the 3rd of March 2023 where he pleaded guilty.
In a statement, Lasaki reiterated that vandalism was one of the leading causes of poor power supply within EKEDC’s operation network and assured customers that the electricity distribution company would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and face 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: Website: https://ekedp.com, Email: whistleblower@ekedp.com, Phone numbers: 07080671170, 07001235666, Facebook: Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Twitter: @ekedp, and Instagram: @ekedpng.
Lasaki reiterated EKEDC’s commitment to providing quality power supply to its customers and encouraged them to assist the company in its fight against vandalism.
