Technician Sent To Prison For Illegally Tapping Electricity

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

A 58-year old technician and resident of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Ndimele Okey has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly tapping the electricity belonging to the management of Cowell Court Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

Okey allegedly caught tapping the electricity meant for residents of Herbert Palmer Line, Block 2, Flat M and William Murray Line, Block I, Flat O in the same estate for monetary gains and in the process caused damage to two electricity meters in the estate valued at N1.5million.

Police source told our correspondent that the arrest of the accused was ordered by the Female DPO in charge of Ilasan Division, Lekki, SP Onyinye Onwuamaegbu following a complaint by the management of Cowell Court Estate, Lekki, represented by the CSO of the Estate, Mr. Eretan Andrew.

The accused was then charged before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a three-count charge of felony to wit. malicious damage to electrical meters and fraudulent tapping of electricity and sealing.

Police Counsel, Jimoh Joseph informed the Court in charge No A/21/2018 that the accused committed the offence on 12 March.

He stated that the accused connived with others, still at large, to tap from the electricity belonging to the management of Cowell Court Estate without its authority and thus damaged electricity meters valued at N1.5m.

Joseph added that the offences the accused committed were punishable under sections 411, 350 and 295(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Okey however pleaded not guilty to the charge and Chief Magistrate, Folashade Botoku granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

Botoku adjourned the case till 12 April, 2018 for mention and ordered that the defendant be kept at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos pending when he fulfilled the bail conditions.