A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Enugu South has sentenced one Mr. Silas Istifanus to seven years imprisonment.
He was jailed by Magistrate J.O Umezurike, for stealing intermediate armoured cables, property of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, an offence punishable under section 353(L) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. II Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
Similarly, Mr. Ajama Emmanuel Emekawas was also sentenced to six months imprisonment at the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division.
The court presided over by Hon. Justice Rosemary Dugbo-Oghoghorie, jailed the accused person for tampering with electric fittings belonging to the EEDC, contrary to Section 1 (9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 LFN 2004.
Speaking on the developments, the EEDC Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, disclosed that a total of ten suspected vandals and two buyers were also currently cooling off at various police stations within the South East for their roles in vandalising electrical installations belonging to the company.
According to Ezeh, two members of a gang, identified as Sunday Obilo and Chukwunonso Moses, were apprehended by some vigilant members of the public at New Owerri, Imo State.
Also apprehended along with the vandals is Jonathan Nwovu, who is identified as the buyer.
“It was gathered in the course of interogation that the gang was responsible for vandalizing Jos Lodge 100KVA 33/0.415kv substation located at Umuerime, Nekede, Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State,” Ezeh said.
In a related development, members of Imo community also apprehended two alleged vandals that destroyed a 300KVA transformer belonging to EEDC, located at Umuosinta Amuzie, Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State.
“One of the suspects identified as ‘Security’ died as a result of severe beating he received from some angry youths of the community, while the other, identified as Chimaobi Okafor was taken to hospital for medical attention.
“In Ebonyi State, five vandals identified as Chukwuma Friday, Oguji Sunday, Onwe Chijioke, Onwe Ekeone and Ogbu Monday were arrested by the vigilante group at Ndiagu Achara, Umuagaru, Ezzangbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for vandalising high tension wires belonging to EEDC.
“The sixth suspect, identified as Stephen, was electrocuted in the course of their nefarious activity.
“Also in Ebonyi State, the duo of Sani Mohammed and Abdullahi Isa, suspected to have vandalised the Ugwuagwu 300KVA were arrested by some members of the community.
“In Anambra State, men of Okpoko vigilante group arrested a notorious vandal identified as Henry Okafor who was in possession of 70mm by 4 armoured cable, cable cutter, shifting spanner, hand gloves, and screw driver. During interrogation, he mentioned one Innocent Orji as the buyer of vandalized materials and he was subsequently arrested.
“All the arrested vandals have been transferred to the respective Police Stations for further investigation and interrogation for possible prosecution”, he further stated.
Ezeh, who expressed worry on the increased rate of vandalism of the EEDC facilities, noted that “no power distribution enterprise can survive with the high rate of attack on electrical installations across its network, as resources meant for other services that will benefit customers are used to replace vandalised items, this is not sustainable.
“While commending the various Vigilante groups, Civil Defence Corps, the Army and the Nigerian Police for their efforts in ensuring that these vandals are apprehended and prosecuted, we still call on our customers to join hands with EEDC and assist in protecting these installations within their neighbourhood, as they will be inconvenienced once they are vandalised.”
“We are, however, not relenting in our commitment towards fighting vandalism; and we continue to count on the support of our customers as well as other well meaning citizens in fighting this menace,” he assured.
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