Nigerian Court remands Mother, Daughter in Prison over Energy theft on Ikeja Electric Network

 

A Nigerian Court has remanded a mother and her daughter in prison pending the perfection of their bail conditions over alleged energy theft on the network of Ikeja Electric, one of the two utility companies that connect Lagos – Nigeria’s commercial capital – to the grid.

The two, who, according to a statement made available to Platforms Africa by Ikeja Electric, are residents of Fatokun Street in Abule Taylor, Off Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos, were arraigned before Ogba Magistrate Court.

The duo of Latefat Shofidiya, 65 and Ekundayo Taiwo, 40 were nabbed, after initially absconding from their residence, for stealing power supply by illegally tapping from a source and passing it underground for more than a hundred meters, right into their home. The video of the theft showing staff of Ikeja Electric uprooting a long and shallow dug, hidden cable passing through the ground, went viral a few weeks ago.

They were arraigned before Magistrate Ogunsanmi of Ogba Magistrate Court 2, on a three count charge bothering on Conspiracy to commit felony punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State; Unlawful tampering with the private property of Ikeja Electric Plc. contrary and punishable under Section 340 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State; and unlawful underground connection of electricity punishable under Section 52 of the Lagos State Electric Power Sector Reform Law, 2018.

The Defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts and were granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 and two sureties in the like sum. Address of sureties to be verified by court officials. They were consequently remanded pending the perfection of the bail conditions and the case was adjourned to 12th August, 2020 for hearing.

While commenting on the issue, Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue pointed out that energy theft was a major challenge bedeviling the power sector.  According to him, “apart from the illegality and the negative impact of the activity on the bills of neighbors, it is also a major safety threat. That is why we deploy legal means to address the anomaly”

He advised customers to desist from acts that are inimical to the progress of the sector and habits that can hamper excellent service deliver. He also commended the security agencies for providing dependable support and for the role they play in protecting IE infrastructure against theft and vandalism.

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