Two people who damaged electrical cables are imprisoned by Anambra court.
Chinonso Chinaemelu, 27, and Okoye Christian, 20, were both given one-year prison sentences by a Federal High Court in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, for vandalizing an Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc distribution substation.
The EEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, announced this development in a statement on Thursday.
According to Ezeh, the two were apprehended on November 29, 2023, while attempting to vandalize the local distribution substation by the Abatete vigilante organization.
Additionally, he stated that Isuorji community neighborhood security in Orlu, Imo State, apprehended a couple known as Mr. and Mrs. Ebuka Umeh that same week.
He claimed that the wife was arrested for trying to remove vandalized objects from an EEDC distribution substation using their motorcycle, and that the duo had been attacking the substation for three days.
“In a related development, Umuezinachi community of anambra neighbourhood watch arrested a vandal suspect, identified as Chukwuebuka Ezike, who is from Umunachi in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. The suspect was cutting aluminum conductor around Orie Uguiri Market.” Ezeh stated.
Amara Joseph Ajagbo was detained by members of the Electricity Committee in Amachi-Izhia, Ebonyi State, for damaging nine aluminum conductor spans in his neighborhood, while two of his gang mates managed to flee.
“The suspects have been turned over to the appropriate police units for a thorough investigation and potential legal action.”
Ezeh bemoaned the recent wave of vandalism within the EEDC network, claiming that it is a significant obstacle that is adversely affecting the seamless functioning of the organization.
As to his statement, the company has documented more than 170 instances of vandalism on its network since January 2022. Approximately 135 individuals who were suspected of vandalism were apprehended, and more than 100 of them have been charged with crimes.
He emphasized that the corporation will not waver in its determination to prosecute these detained suspects and will make every effort to track down the recipients of these defaced objects, as they continue to serve as the vandals’ source of inspiration.
Ezeh bemoaned the fact that the organization is finding it increasingly difficult to secure funding for the repair of vandalized infrastructure and that this development is having an impact on customer service.
