TWO persons whose names were given as Amaechi Joe and Ejike Chigozie have been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, respectively, at the Chief Magistrate Court of Anambra East Magisterial District, sitting at Otuocha, Anambra State for alleged vandalism.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Onunkwo by the Police for vandalising the Ring Main Unit (RMU) handle of an Injection Substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Aguleri, Anambra State.
The vandals, who were tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, offences punishable under section 495(a) and 353(12) of Criminal Code Cap 36 Vol. II Revised Law of Anambra State 1991 as amended, have been moved to Onitsha Prison, where they are expected to serve their term.
It could be recalled that three suspected vandals identified as David Michael Ifeanyi, Sunday Nweke and Celestine Nweke, were recently arrested by the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, for attacking EEDC property.
The suspects were arraigned at the Federal High Court Awka on Thursday, June 28, 2018, where they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge slammed on them. The presiding High Court Judge, however, ordered that they are remanded at Awka Prison, while the matter was adjourned to 10th October 2018.
In a related development, four vandals identified as Azubuike Ezebuokwu, Onye Ogunna Franklin, Chigozie Ekweme and Emezu Emeh, were arrested by some members vigilance group in Mgbidi, Imo State, for vandalizing the Commissioner Eziani Community transformer in Mgbidi, the property of EEDC. They were subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court Owerri on 20th June 2018 where they pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
They were granted bail but remanded at the Federal Prison Owerri until their bail conditions are met. Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to 17th October 2018 for further hearing.
In an interview with the Media Manager of EEDC, Chukwuemeka Ezeh, he said that the activities of vandals impact negatively on their operations and the quality of service they render to their customers, stressing that the criminals deprive customers the opportunity of enjoying their service.
According to him, “We keep committing financial resources to restore vandalized equipment; funds that ordinarily would have been channelled to other areas of our operations that will benefit our customers”
“We are therefore not relenting in our effort in putting a stop to this menace; while continuing to count on the support of our customers in ensuring that these installations within their neighbourhood are protected. Members of the public are therefore enjoined to report any suspicious activity around the transformers serving them to their respective Feeder Manager or to the security operatives”, he added.
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