Seven suspects arraigned by Eko DisCo for assault, vandalism
Oredola Adeola
A total of seven individuals have been arraigned in court for their involvement in vandalising Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) infrastructure and assaulting its staff members.
Babatunde Lasaki, General Manager, Corporate Communications at EKEDC, made this known in a statement obtained by EnergyDay on Tuesday.
According to Lasaki, the criminals vandalised distribution infrastructure, while others assaulted EKEDC’s staff who were conducting their official duties.
He said, “One of the convicted criminals, Ayomide Oyebanjo, was arraigned for the assault on November 30,2022, after assaulting Mr. Sanmi Matthew, a driver working with the Ikate zonal office of EKEDC.
Lasaki also stated that the defendant used bottles to inflict multiple injuries on the driver.
He said, “The suspect was charged to Court on a 6-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, demanding money with menace, belonging to unlawful society, obstruction of duty and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
He pleaded guilty to the count charge for assault occasioning harm and pleaded not guilty to the other charges. He was convicted for assault occasioning bodily harm and was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment without option of fine.
Lasaki also noted that two other suspects, Mr. Chima Kingsley and Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu were apprehended in December 2022 at No. 389 Agege Motor Road under Mushin Business District vandalizing the 750KVA substation situated at that location.
He said, “On January, 10, 2023, the suspects were arraigned on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing. They both pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 (One hundred thousand naira only) with two (2) sureties each.
“The two other persons, Mr. Nurudeen Moshood and Mr. Aweda Mustapha, were arraigned at the Magistrate Court 2, Surulere, Lagos on a 5-count charge of conspiracy, assault, and damage to property belonging to staff of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).
“Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) and one surety each,” the EKEDC’s spokesperson said.
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The EKEDC General Manager, Corporate Communications therefore expressed his dismay at the incidents, emphasising that strongly condemned the acts of vandalism and assault against our staff members.
He said, “These incidents not only disrupt our operations but also jeopardize the safety and well-being of our employees who provide reliable electricity services to our esteemed customers,” Lasaki stated.
He further emphasized that the EKEDC is committed to the provision of uninterrupted electricity services to our customers and safety of its employees.
The EKEDC’s spokesperson therefore encouraged the public to join the DisCo in efforts to end acts of violence and assault against any of its staff, urging them to report any suspicious activities related to distribution infrastructure to the appropriate authorities.
