By Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state presided over by Justice Choebe Ayua has sentenced a twenty-eight year old Christopher Achi to two years imprisonment for tampering and removal of Electic cable, property belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution (EEDC).
The convict, was arrested at Ihenu Uburu Community, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state, an offence punishable under section 1(10) miscellaneous offences Act Cap M17 LFN 2004.
The development was made known to journalists on Sunday by the Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, of which copies of the court’s judgment was obtained.
Ezeh acknowledged that vandalism is a major challenge that is hampering EEDC’s operations, as these vandals usually drain transformer oil, remove feeder pillar units, intermediate or up-riser cables, transformer winding coil or sometimes even remove the whole transformer.
Some other items that are vandalized included spans of aluminum conductors and other line fittings such as port insulators and cross-arms.
Uchechukwu Maduakor, a native of Ogwu Amanasa Village, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, while in May, 2019, the duo of Obasi Nkama Ukpai and Orji Okporie were sentenced to one year, six months imprisonment.
According to Ezeh, management of EEDC is not relenting in its commitment to ensuring that apprehended vandals are tried in accordance with the law and made to face the consequences of their actions.
“We believe that this will serve as deterrent to many others out there, engaging in such acts.”
Customers are therefore advised to be vigilant and not allow these installations within their neighborhood to be vandalized, as they will inconvenience the people once this happens.
They are also encouraged to make use of the company’s whistle blowing lines (084 700 110; 0814 602 6678) to report any suspicious attempt, report to the EEDC office serving them or to the nearest police station.
