Court jails two over theft of electricity cable

Specifically, the jail sentences were passed on the duo for stealing and receiving  72 metres of electricity armoured cable valued at one million four hundred thousand naira (N1,400,000.00). In his verdict, Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Y. R.  Pinehro,   found Sukuma guilty of the two- count charge of felony and stealing.He was sentenced to four year imprisonment […]

Specifically, the jail sentences were passed on the duo for stealing and receiving  72 metres of electricity armoured cable valued at one million four hundred thousand naira (N1,400,000.00). In his verdict, Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Y. R.  Pinehro,   found Sukuma guilty of the two- count charge of felony and stealing.
He was sentenced to four year imprisonment which will however run for a concurrent term of two years.
Samaila Choji was found guilty of dishonestly receiving, from Hope Sukuma, the stolen cable even after knowing that it was a stolen item. He was subsequently sentenced to one year imprisonment.
The judgement was without any option of fine.
The offence was committed in December 2013 at Alaba Oniru and Jide Oki 500KVA distribution sub-stations in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.
Commenting on the judgement, the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Godwin Idemudia said it was a welcome development that would serve as a good deterrent for other perpetrators of the criminal act of theft and vandalism of electricity equipment.
According to him, the judgment is a vindication of workers of the company who were usually wrongly accused by some ignorant members of the public of being the brain behind vandalism of electricity equipment; adding that none of the two convicted persons was ever a staff member of the company.