Three Ogun firm’s workers arraigned for N22m energy theft
The trio of Sikiru Oyedokun aged 50, 46-year-old Oladimeji Monsuru and 33-year-old Abraham Ebenezer working with ATC Nigeria Base Station, Ogijo were on Tuesday dragged before Ogun State Magistrate Court, Sagamu, over the fraudulent appropriation of 165,033.18 Kilo Watt of electricity valued at N22,887,474.28 being the property of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
The offence was said to have been committed between September 17, 2019, to May 5, 2022, and August 3, 2023, to December 5, 2024, at Site ID: No. OG0061, ATC Nigeria Base Station in Ogijo, in the Sagamu Magisterial district
The suspects were arraigned on two-count charges of fraudulent appropriation of electricity, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006 as well as unlawful diversion of electricity power, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 400 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006
The charge sheet sighted by our correspondent reads, “That you, Sikiru Oyedokun ‘M’, Oladimeji Monsuru ‘M’, Abraham Ebenezer ‘M’ and others at large between 17th September 2019 to 5th May 2022 and 3rd August 2023 to 5th December 2024 at Site ID: No. OG0061, ATC Nigeria Base Station in Ogijo, Ogun State in the Sagamu Magisterial District did unlawfully conspire together to commit an offence to wit fraudulent appropriation of electricity (power) and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.
“That you, Sikiru Oyedokun ‘M’, Oladimeji Monsuru ‘M’, Abraham Ebenezer ‘M’ and others at large on the same months, years and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did wilfully and unlawfully divert the use of electricity (power) to Site ID: No. OG0061, ATC Nigeria Base Station at Ogijo Ogun State to the quantum of 165,033.18 Kilo Watt Hour valued at N 22,887,474.28 property of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 400 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The defendants’ counsel pleaded with the court to grant the suspects bail in most liberal terms, saying that they are only employees of the company and not the owner of the company where the alleged energy theft occurred.
Magistrate Olayinka Idowu granted each of the accused N7m bail with one surety each who must reside in the state with landed properties within the magisterial district and must possess evidence of tax payment to Ogun state government.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till January 9 and 10, 2025, for trial.
