A Federal High Court 1 Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Ibrahim Gafai has sentenced certain Uchechukwu Maduakor to seven years imprisonment for vandalising electricity installation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC, EEDC.
The convict, who hails from Ogwu Amanasa village, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was jailed without an option of fine.
Maduakor was charged with unlawfully damaging wires used for converting electricity by cutting off high tension cables at Umuchu Anambra State; an offence contrary to the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act, Cap M17, Vol. 9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
News of Maduakor’s conviction was broken to journalists on Monday, October 21, 2019, by the head of communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh.
According to Ezeh, Maduakor was arraigned in court on September 26, 2017, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge, before the trial commenced.
The EEDC spokesman also recounted that sometime in May this year, the company secured judgement when the duo of Obasi Nkama Ukpai and Orji Okporie were sentenced to one year, six months imprisonment by I.P Chima, a judge of High Court 2 Afikpo, Ebonyi State, for conspiring to steal cables belonging to EEDC.
EEDC has identified vandalism as a major challenge negatively impacting on its operations. This takes various forms, which include: draining of transformer oil, removal of the feeder pillar unit, intermediate or up-riser cables, transformer winding coil or total removal of the transformer, removal of spans of aluminum conductors and other line fittings such as Port Insulators and Cross-Arms.
EEDC spends millions of Naira on monthly basis replacing and repairing vandalised facilities, coupled with the revenue loss incurred by the business as a result of this challenge.
“There is no way we can sustain our operations and deliver quality and improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control,” Ezeh said.
He advised customers to be vigilant and to promptly report any acts of vandalisation of the company’s property in their areas.
Ezeh disclosed that EEDC is not relenting in its commitment to ensure that apprehended vandals are tried in accordance with the law and made to face the consequences of their actions. “It is expected that this will serve as a deterrent to many others out there, engaging in such act.” he said.
