Court remands four for vandalising, stealing EKEDC property

A Lagos Magistrate’s court has remanded four persons for vandalising properties belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
  
The defendants were caught stealing, damaging, and vandalising cables, transformers, and other equipment before they were arrested and charged to court.
  
This was made known in a statement signed by the EKEDC Head of Corporate Communications and Strategy, Babatunde Lasaki.
   
According to the statement, Mustapha Yusuf, was arraigned on March 10, 2023, 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.
  
In another development, 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 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 The defendant was remanded in prison custody pending perfection of his bail conditions.
  
Also, Puttu John Gongse was arrested on March 17, 2023, 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 of March 21, 2023, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail to the tune of N200,000.

Similarly, Abdullahi Sulaiman was caught stealing cables belonging to 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.
  
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 were 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.