Oredola Adeola

Busolami Tunwase, IBEDC’s Lead Media Relations, confirmed this in a statement obtained by Advisors Reports on Tuesday.

According to her, the Ogun State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on May 8, 2024, secured the conviction of three Defendants at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division.

She further revealed that the defendants were arraigned before Hon. Justice A. Demi -Ajayi for the offence of unlawfully tampering, disconnecting and damaging Electrical installations belonging to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

The IBEDC’s spokesperson noted that the duo of Chibueze Emmanuel and Michael Genesis were arrested in January 2022, while Ojuolape Olaitan was arrested in January 2024.

She said, “The Hon. Judge adjourned the two charges to May 8, 2024, for review of facts of the trio having earlier pleaded guilty to the offence.

“After a careful review of facts, the Hon. Judge sentenced each of the Defendants to 6 years of imprisonment,” she noted

Tunwase disclosed that the IBEDC is working in partnership with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) to curb energy theft within its franchise area.

She noted that energy theft cases include various offenses such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, resulting in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The IBEDC’s spokesperson further emphasised that energy theft, as stipulated by the Electricity Act, is now recognized as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment.

She said, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers,” Tunwase noted.

She therefore urged IBEDC’s customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, as the consequences can be severe.