Court remands 47-year-old man over alleged theft of transformer oil

Olayinka Olukoya – Abeokuta

A 47-year-old man, Francis Johnson, has been remanded in Sagamu Prison by a Magistrate Court in Sagamu, over alleged theft of transformer oil worth several millions of naira.

The Akwa-Ibom indigene was said to have vandalised a transformer belonging to the Ibadan Distribution Electricity Company (IBDEC) at Ogere-Remo area of the state, last August.

The suspect who is standing trial before Magistrate Victoria Williams was said to have worked with an energy company situated in Sagamu.

While giving evidence against the suspect, a witness, Adewale Adekoya, told the court that he noticed Johnson suspicious movement around the transformer situated very close to his residential building.

Adekoya said the suspect who came around with a vehicle to his area by 3.00am on the fateful day, had the intention of vandalising the transformer as he attempted to climb the enclosure housing the transformer.

The witness said his prompt alertness of members of the neighborhood made the suspect to flee and abandoned his vehicle which contained 16 gallons, hose pipe and other personal effects.

He said the suspect was arrested and handed over to the Police when he came the following day to tow the vehicle on the pretence that it developed mechanical fault.

Magistrate William haven listened to the witness ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison tillOctober 6, for continuation of trial.