IKEDC outrages as vandals damaged over 50 transformers

…Vandals bag two years imprisonment

The Head of Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric Distribution Company ((IKEDC), Mr Felix Ofulue, yesterday, disclosed that vandalism has become the biggest threat of power supply.

This was even as he revealed that two persons, who were arrested last month by the Nigerian Service Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), for vandalism of Electricity Distribution Transformers belonging to IKEDC have been sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour.

 The convicts, Mayowa Adedoyin and Yemi Aina, who were convicted on a two count charge, were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos, before Honourable Justice Abdulaziz Anka.

The duo pleaded guilty as charged and was sentenced to spend the next two years in Kirikiri Prison.

Adedoyin and Aina were accused of conspiring with others at large, to commit a felony, to wit, unlawfully disconnect, remove, damage and tamper with IKEDC core cable in Oshodi, Lagos State on August 11, 2017; with the intention of stealing same, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Ofulue, expressed hope that it would serve as a deterrent, this was even as he commended the security agencies for rising up to the occasion.

Ofolue said that the company would continue to prosecute vandals and all other perpetrators of criminality within its network, as prescribed by law.

He said: “One of the biggest challenges facing the Electricity Sector is vandalism and theft of electricity equipment. Added to these are other issues like energy theft through meter bypass and illegal connections as well as violence against our staff in some communities. All these illegal activities jeopardize our efforts to provide adequate and seamless electricity supply to our responsible paying customers.

“However, we are tackling these challenges one after the other, with the support of our security agencies and the Judiciary, and gradually, we are confident that we will surmount the problems.”

Ofulue noted that the spate of vandalism in IE network is becoming alarming, as over 50 transformers were recently vandalized in the network especially in Oshodi Business Unit areas of the company.

He further appealed to residents and communities to assist the company to monitor the electrical equipment in their areas and avoid the use of quacks and un-authorized personnel to carry out repairs, illegal connections and reconnections.