The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Tuesday dragged the trio of Sikiru Oyedokun, Oladimeji Monsuru and Abraham Ebenezer before an Ogun State Magistrate Court, sitting in Sagamu over alleged fraudulent appropriation of 165,033.18 Kilo Watt of electricity, valued at N22,887,474.28.
The trio, 50-year old Oyedokun; 46-year old Oladimeji and 33-year old Abraham Ebenezer were employees of ATC Nigeria Base Station, Ogijo, where they committed the offense.
The offence was said to have been committed 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, in the Sagamu Magisterial district.
The suspects were arraigned on two count charge 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 count 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 Twenty Two Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Four Naira Twenty Kobo (№ 22,887,474.28) property of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) 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 however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
The defendants counsels 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 has 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 also possess evidence of tax payment to Ogun State government.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to January 9 and 10, 2025 for trial.
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