Three people have been sentenced to six years in prison each by a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
The court’s decision comes after the trio, identified as Chibueze Emmanuel, Ojuolape Olaitan, and Michael Genesis, were found guilty of vandalizing electricity cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Their sentencing followed arraignment before Justice A. Demi-Ajayi, prompted by their arrest by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The state Commandant of the corps, David Ojelabi, who paraded the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital, disclosed that four of the suspects were involved in vandalism and stealing, while one of the suspects allegedly specialised in selling marijuana.
READ ALSO:IMF Urges FG to Stop Electricity Subsidy
Ojelabi had disclosed that one of the suspects, Ojuolape Olaitan, was arrested in the Imomo area of Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of the state following a tip-off from members of the community, which prompted the NSCDC operatives to immediately swing into action and apprehend the suspect in possession of the vandalised cables.
The statement reads, “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 duo of Chibueze Emmanuel and Michael Genesis were arrested in January 2022 while Ojuolape Olaitan, male, 36 years, was arrested for vandalising electricity cables at Imomo Community, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, Ogun State in January 2024.
“The Hon. Judge adjourned the two charges to Wednesday, May 8, 2024, for a review of the facts of the trio having earlier pleaded guilty to the offence.
“The spokesperson noted that upon the review of facts presented by the prosecutor, the court found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to six years.
“After a careful review of facts, the Hon. Judge sentenced each of the Defendants to six years of imprisonment.”
