Police/AEDC task force arraign electricity thief

The Nigeria Police has arraigned a customer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of electricity theft. Abdulateef Mustapha was charged with tampering with electric fittings which is contrary to Section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004. Mustapha was alleged to have on May 26, […]

The Nigeria Police has arraigned a customer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of electricity theft.

Abdulateef Mustapha was charged with tampering with electric fittings which is contrary to Section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.

Mustapha was alleged to have on May 26, 2017 unlawfully disconnected and tampered with energy meters in his No 16 Tema Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja residence with numbers: 62120102272 and 04185230101 stole electricity of 1,4642KW/H for one month valued at N309,509. 

Justice Anwuli Chikere granted Mustapha administrative bail after he pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The matter has been adjourned to May 24 for hearing.

The arraignment followed the agreement between the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the AEDC Plc in May, 2017 to set up a special taskforce for the investigation and prosecution of electricity theft.

This is part of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 approved by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.