CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 43-year old man, John Nwachukwu, has landed in trouble for allegedly bypassing his prepaid meter connected by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company and was enjoying free electricity supply before he was caught in the act in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Nwachukwu, has been arrested for alleged power supply theft.
The incident happened at Adesola Akande Street, off College Road in Ifako Ijaiye area of Lagos, where he resides.
The Police alleged that Nwachukwu and others now at large conspired and bypassed the prepaid meter allocated to them and connected their apartments directly to Ikeja Electric supply cables and were using it without paying any bills to the company.
This was said to have gone on for some months before information got to Ikeja Electric Company and the matter was reported to the Police for investigation.
In the course of investigation by the Police, it was discovered that Nwachukwu interfered with the prepaid meter with Registration Number 54181268084, which was allocated to him and others at large.
The Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for conspiracy and stealing of energy supply.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The Prosecutor, Supol Bisi Ogunleye, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he was caught and actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. M.A. Adegbaye, granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The defendant, Nwachukwu, was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the matter was adjourned for mention.