Six Maximum Demand (MD1) customers of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) were on Wednesday brought before the Itori Magistrate Court in Ogun, for illegal connection.
The defendants were arraigned on a one count charge of illegal connection into IBEDC network, without resolving issues concerning their disconnection.
Information gathered revealed that the MD1 customers were disconnected by the company for huge outstanding and non-payment of debt.
The customers however, illegally reconnected themselves to IBEDC network without having resolved the matter, and continued using supply.
The Monitoring Team of the company discovered this act, reported at the Police Station and all the customers were arrested and arraigned immediately at Itori Magistrate Court, Itori, Ogun State.
The presiding Magistrate , Mr A.O. Sodeinde, acting Chief Magistrate, granted the accused persons bail but they are to be remanded at the Ewekoro/Itori Divisional Police Station pending when they are able to meet the bail condition.
The matter has been adjourned till Wednesday 24th January 2024 for further hearing.
The regional Head of IBEDC Ogun Region Engr. Abdulrasaq Jimoh, appealed to customers to desist from taking laws into their hands.
He noted that cases of energy theft in form of meter tampering, bye-passing, racketeering and illegal connection was on the increase and affecting the revenue, performance and operation of IBEDC.
” The company in conjunction with law enforcement agencies are already going round in monitoring our network with intentions to arrest defaulters.
” All perpetrators will be prosecuted and publicised in the National newspapers to forestall these nefarious acts affecting the company,” he said.
