Six Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) called maximum Demand (MD1) customers were brought before the Itori Magistrate Court in Ogun, for illegal connection.

The defendants were arraigned on a one-count charge of illegal connection into the IBEDC network, without resolving issues concerning their disconnection.

The Guardian learnt that the MD1 customers were disconnected by the company for huge outstanding and non-payment of debt.

The customers, however, illegally reconnected themselves to the IBEDC network without having resolved the matter and continued using the supply.

The Monitoring Team of the company discovered this act, reported to the Police Station, and all the customers were arrested and arraigned immediately at Itori Magistrate Court, Itori, Ogun State.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr A.O. Sodeinde, acting Chief Magistrate, granted the accused person bail but they are to be remanded at the Ewekoro/Itori Divisional Police Station pending when they can meet the bail condition.

The matter has been adjourned till Wednesday 24th January 2024 for further hearing.

The Regional Head of IBEDC Ogun Region Engr. Abdulrasaq Jimoh appealed to customers to desist from taking laws into their hands.

He noted that cases of energy theft in form of meter tampering, bye-passing, racketeering and illegal connection was on the increase and affecting the revenue, performance and operation of IBEDC.

“The company in conjunction with law enforcement agencies are already going round in monitoring our network with intentions to arrest defaulters.

“All perpetrators will be prosecuted and publicised in the National newspapers to forestall these nefarious acts affecting the company.”
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