The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has sentenced a middle-aged man, Surajo Mohammed, to five years imprisonment for vandalising power supply equipment belonging to Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

A statement on Sunday by the Head, Corporate Communication of Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the convicted felon was caught some time in September 2016 at Unguwar Rimi Area of Kaduna metropolis vandalising a 300mm armored cable in a distribution sub-station along Musa Yakubu Street.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) deposed by the Investigation Police Officer, Sgt. Jacob Afolayan, was quoted in the statement as saying that the accused person was arraigned on two-count charge of economic sabotage and malicious destruction of public property.

The offences are punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, LFN 2004 where he pleaded guilty.

According to the statement, “The presiding judge, Justice Peter Malong, after careful review of the facts of the case and the submission of the IPO sentenced the accused to five years imprisonment on each of the count charge without an option of fine.

“The sentences are however to run concurrently effective from the date of his arrest which was 18th September, 2016.”

The statement congratulated both the police and the court for what it described as “sending a strong signal to miscreants and economic saboteurs that there is no hidden place for vandals of vital national infrastructures”.

The statement also commended the state’s institutions for standing with the people and believed that the conviction will serve as deterrent to others.

It also appealed to customers of the company to share credible intelligence with, and or report any suspicious movement around power supply facilities to the company or the nearest police station.