A Federal High Court 1 sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, presided over by Justice Choebe Ayua has sentenced 28-year-old Christopher Achi to two years’ imprisonment for tampering and removal of electric cable, property belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution (EEDC).
The convict was arrested at Ihenu Uburu Community, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, an offense punishable under section 1(10) miscellaneous offenses Act Cap M17 LFN 2004.
The development was made known to journalists on Sunday by the Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, of which a copy of the court was obtained.
Ezeh acknowledged that vandalism is a significant challenge that is hampering EEDC’s operations, as these vandals usually drain transformer oil, remove feeder pillar unit, intermediate or up-riser cables, transformer winding coil or sometimes even remove the whole transformer.
Some other items that are vandalized include spans of aluminum conductors and other line fittings such as Port Insulators and Cross-Arms.
It will be recalled that some vandals were sentenced to years in prison for attacking EEDC installations.
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Uchechukwu Maduakor, a native of Ogwu Amanasa Village, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, while in May 2019, the duo of Obasi Nkama Ukpai and Orji Okporie were sentenced to one year, six months imprisonment.
According to Ezeh, management of EEDC is not relenting in her commitment to ensuring that apprehended vandals are tried under the law and made to face the consequences of their actions.
“We believe that this will serve as a deterrent to many others out there, engaging in such activities.”
Customers are therefore advised to be vigilant and not allow these installations within their neighborhood vandalized, as they will be inconvenienced once this happens.
“They are also encouraged to make use of the company’s whistleblowing lines (084 700 110; 0814 602 6678) to report any suspicious attempt, report to the EEDC office serving them or to the nearest police station.”
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