MICHAEL AKINOLA
The residents of Redemption Close, Ajegunle area of Lagos State, have been thrown into darkness after some thieves vandalized their 500 KV transformer, stole armoured cables worth N1.5m supplying them power in the area and escaped.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 13th August, 2023, at about 5.00 am, when the thieves went there, damaged the transformer and stole the cables.
Initially, the residents thought that it was the electricity company that switched off their power supply until when it was morning. They then discovered that it was vandalized by thieves, who stole eight transformer cables worth N1.5m.
The matter was reported to the Police, who moved into action and it paid off following the arrest of three suspects, Moses Adoni, 32 and Gbenga Abiodun, 23 and Ogunkanmi Adebayo, 38.
They were charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The prosecutor, Supol Benson Emerhi, told the Court that the defendants and others at large conspired and vandalized the transformer belonging to Ikeja Electricity company and stole the cables worth the said amount before they were arrested and charged before the Court.
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor 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. L.A. Owolabi, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.