A Chief Magistrate Court of Anambra East Magisterial District, sitting at Otuocha, Anambra State, presided over by Onunkwo Esquire has sentenced one Ejike Chigozie and Amaechi Joe to three years imprisonment each.

They were arraigned by the Police for vandalising the Ring Main Unit (RMU) handle of an Injection Substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Aguleri, Anambra State.

The vandals, who were tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, offences punishable under section 495(a) and 353(12) of Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Revised Law of Anambra State 1991 as amended, have been moved to Onitsha Prison, where they are expected to serve their jail term.

Just recently, three suspected vandals identified as David Michael Ifeanyi, Sunday Nweke and Celestine Nweke, were arrested by the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, for attacking EEDC property.

The suspects were arraigned at the Federal High Court Awka, where they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge slammed on them.

In a statement signed by EEDC Head, communications Mr Emeka Ezeh, said the presiding High Court Judge, however, ordered that they be remanded at Awka Prison, while the matter was adjourned to October 10, 2018.

In a related development, four vandals identified as, Azubuike Ezebuokwu, Onye Ogunna Franklin, Chigozie Ekweme and Emezu Emeh, were arrested by some members of vigilance group in Mgbidi, Imo State, for vandalising the Commissioned Eziani Community transformer in Mgbidi, property of EEDC.

They were subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court Owerri on 20th June 2018 where they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

They were granted bail but remanded at the Federal Prison Owerri until their bail conditions are met. Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to 17th October 2018 for further hearing.

According to Ezeh, the activities of vandals has impacts negatively on their operations and quality of service they render to their esteemed customers, as they end up depriving customers the opportunity of enjoying our service.

Ezeh said: “As a result of these, we keep committing financial resources to restore vandalised equipment; funds that ordinarily would have been channelled to other areas of our operations that will benefit our customers.

“We are therefore not relenting in our effort in putting a stop to this menace; while continuing to count on the support of our customers in ensuring that these installations within their neighbourhood are protected.

“Members of the public are therefore enjoined to report any suspicious activity around the transformers serving them to their respective Feeder Manager or to the security operatives.

“Customers should also ensure that it is only genuine and identified staff of EEDC that are carrying out repairs or maintenance operations on these installations.

“We wish to commend the continued support of vigilante groups and security agencies such as the Civil Defence Corps, the Army and the Nigerian Police towards ensuring that this ugly menace is addressed and perpetrators brought to book.”

News Express reports that EEDC recently inaugurated a Special Investigation and Prosecution Taskforce on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO). A collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Justice, EEDC and the Nigeria Police Force, empowered to investigate, arrest and prosecute cases of theft, vandalism as well as recovery of lost revenue.

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