Three remanded in prison over attack on Ikeja Electric workers

Amid increasing spate of attacks on Ikeja Electric (IE) workers, a middle-aged man, Abiodun Makinde, has been arrested and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons for beating up Oluwaseun Onate, an employee of the electricity distribution company.

Makinde, who was apprehended from his hideout by the police, was arraigned yesterday on a two-count charge of assault and breach of peace at the Ogba Magistrate Court, Lagos.

He allegedly assaulted Onate at Aberuagba Street, Oshodi, Lagos State last month during an activity which involved disconnection of debtor customers.

Makinde absconded thereafter, leading to an organized search for his arrest by the police.

While he pleaded not guilty, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Dan Oni, ordered the suspect to be remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons until his bail conditions are met. The case was thereafter adjourned to March 14, for further hearing.

In a related development, two persons, Rotimi Bamigbade and Kazeem Adeniyi Owoleye have been remanded in Kirikiri for similar offences.

Bamigbade and four others still at large, on February 18, at Ajasa Command, Ipaja, carried out a physical assault on an Ikeja Electric linesman with bottles and sticks.

He was subsequently detained and arraigned before Mrs. A.A. Adetunji sitting at the Magistrate, Court 14 Ogba on five counts of conspiracy to commit felony; breach of peace; obstructing official duty, assault occasioning harm and stealing.

IE had in a recent statement cautioned against assault on its staff, threatening to withdraw its services from hostile communities and customers.

The company’s head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, said the decision to seek redress in court over series of attack is to stem the menace of violence against its staff, a development he hoped will serve as a deterrent to other offenders against future reoccurrence.

He further urged aggrieved customers to seek peaceful means and the redress mechanism established by the company for resolution of issues.