3 youths to spend 3 years in prison for vandalizing EEDC cables in Anambra

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7 years ago

THE Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice I.B. Garfai, has sentenced three youths to three years imprisonment each for conspiracy, unlawful damage and stealing of electricity cables belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in August, last year.

The names of vandals who were given as: Onyedikachi Nwosu (18), Chinonso Ezenwanne (18) and Chizoba Ezedalu (22) were jailed for committing an act contrary to the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap.M.17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation 2004.

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The conviction of youths came just few weeks after the duo of Amaechi Joe and Ejike Chigozie were sentenced to three years imprisonment by Chief Magistrate, Onunkwo Esquire, at the Chief Magistrate Court of Anambra East Magisterial District, holden at Otuocha, Anambra State for vandalising the Ring Main Unit (RMU) handle of an Injection Substation belonging to EEDC in Aguleri, Anambra State.

Reacting to the last week court judgment, the Head of Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said: “We appreciate the effort of the Judiciary in ensuring speedy trial of these vandals, and hope that this will serve as deterrent to others who indulge in same act of sabortage which impacts negatively on the quality of service we render to our customers.”

Ezeh noted: “As a business, we have committed millions of Naira in restoring vandalised transformers and this is not a sustainable practice. We therefore continue to apppeal to our customers to join hands in protecting these installations serving them.

According to him, the organisation is not relenting in its engagement with communities and critical stakeholders on the need to be vigilant and join hands in protecting the installation in their neighbourhood; and to report any suspicious activity to their respective Feeder Manager or to the security operatives.

“We therefore commend the support of vigilante groups and security agencies such as the Civil Defence Corps, the Army and the Nigerian Police towards ensuring that this ugly menace is addressed and perpetrators,” he added.