EKEDC blames activities of vandals for power supply disruption

…As Court arraigns four for damaging distribution infrastructure

Despite making efforts to improve on electricity supply to its customers, the management of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has attributed incessant cases of vandalism, harassment and damage to its distribution infrastructure, as parts of the reasons responsible for power failure in some areas under it network.

EKEDC, Head of Corp orate Communications & Strategy, Mr. Babatunde Lasaki made this known in a statement obtained, after a Lagos State Magistrate Court remanded four persons for vandalising properties belonging to the DisCo.

According to Lasaki, the vandals were caught stealing, damaging, and vandalising cables, transformers, and other equipment before they were arrested and charged to court.

He confirmed that one of the arrested vandals, Mustapha Yusuf was arraigned on March, 10, 2023 on a two-count charge of malicious damage of EKEDC’s ladder, and assault.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges then bail was granted to him in the sum of  N100,000.

Another vandal named Lawal Isah was arrested on February, 26, 2023 for vandalising 30 meters of 150mm (about 5.91 in) core electric cables servicing Bank Road, Ikoyi, and the transformer in front of No 1 Olumegbon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

He was arrested and charged with stealing and malicious damage.

Lawal pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge and was granted bail in the sum of N500.000.00 (five hundred thousand naira).

EKEDC said that the defendant was however remanded in prison pending his bail perfection.

Another vandal, Puttu John Gongse was also arrested on March, 17, 2023 at Ikoyi-Lagos, for stealing and damaging 30 meters of 150mm single core armored cables servicing the transformer at Parkview Estate valued at N500,000 (Five hundred thousand naira only).

He was arraigned on March, 21, 2023, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail to the tune of N200,000 (Two hundred thousand naira only).

The fourth vandal nabbed by EKEDC was named Abdullahi Sulaiman.

He was caught stealing cables valued at N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira only) on March,1, 2023 at Oropo Area of Ansaruddeen Badagry in Lagos Magisterial District.

He was arraigned on March 3, 2023 where he pleaded guilty.

Lasak, the EKEDC’s spokesperson in his remark on the arraignment of the four vandals, noted that vandalism was one of the leading causes of poor power supply within EKEDC’s operation network.

He however assured customers that the electricity distribution company would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and face the full wrath of the law.

The EKEDC GM Corporate Communication further called on members of the public to report suspicious activity around its infrastructure to the nearest EKEDC office or via any of the company’s official complaint channels.

Lasaki reiterated EKEDC’s commitment to providing quality power supply to its customers and encouraged them to assist the company in its fight against vandalism.