MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two men, Okanlawon Lateef, 56 and Samson Olayiwola, 66, have landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly conspiring and manipulating Ikeja Electric Distribution Company’s prepaid meters and using free electricity.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Abule Odu, Idimu, Lagos, where they reside.
According to the Police, the suspects conspired and interfered with the prepaid meters and started using electricity light without any payment or recharging the prepaid meters.
However, the information leaked and the matter was reported to the Idimu Police Division. The suspects were arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After rounds of interrogation, the Police found them culpable and charged them before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charge read:
“That you, OKANLAWON LATEEF ‘M’ and SAMSON OLAYIWOLA ‘M’ on the 9th of February, 2025 at about 4pm at Abule Odu, Idimu in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did conspire among yourself to commit Felony to wit manipulation of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company PLC prepaid meter and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:-“That you, OKANLAWON LATEEF ‘M’ and SAMSON OLAYIWOLA ‘M’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully tamper in a manner that interferes with Ikeja Electric Distribution Company PLC prepaid meter and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 340 of criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
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