Edited by Debo Oshundun/Tajudeen Atitebi
Theft
By Veronica Dariya
Bwari (FCT Abuja), July 17, 2018 (NAN) A Bwari Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted N100,000 bail each to two men for allegedly stealing electricity from Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
Anya Ifeanyi, 31, and Emmanuel Idoko, 32, both residents of Bwari, are facing a two-count-charge of joint act and theft.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police Prosecutor, Agnes Adewunmi-Aluko, said that the defendants conspired and by-passed the AEDC’s pre-paid meter which Ifeanyi was illegally using in his office at Bwari.
She said that the case was reported to Bwari Divisional Police Station by one Micheal OKon, an AEDC’s staff, on July 10 at 6.00 p.m.
The prosecutor said that during investigation, Ifeanyi confessed to the crimes.
The offences contravened Sections 79 and 286 of the Penal Code.
Adewunmi-Aluko, however, asked the court for adjournment.
The counsel to the accused, Mr S. Emmanuel, did not object to the prosecution’s application, but applied for their bail.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Akanni Idayat-Olaide, ordered the defendants to produce a reliable surety in the sum of N100,000 and in like sum.
He said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
Idayat-Olaide adjourned the case until July 26.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that electricity theft is an offence contrary to section 1 (10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.
NAN also reports that the AEDC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation, had in May 2017, signed a partnership agreement to fight electricity theft within the AEDC’s area of operations.
This followed the approval of a special task force for investigation and prosecution of electricity theft cases under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. (NAN)
DVK/AOM/TA
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Tajudeen Atitebi