The Northwest zone Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) North, has dragged 10 persons, including two women before the Chief Magistrates Court in Kaduna, for assaulting staff of Kaduna Electric, KAEDCO.
A statement by the spokesperson of Kaduna Electric, Abdulaziz Abdulahi made available to ASHENEWS on Wednesday said, the arraignment followed a petition by KAEDCO against the assault.
“The 10 suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, energy theft, threat, intimidation and assault contrary to various Sections of the Miscellaneous Act Cap N 17 Law of the Federation and Sections 54, 271, 241 and 377 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.
“According to the First Information Report (FIR) read to the Defendants by the Lead Prosecutor, Inspector Simon Abba, the accused suspects criminaly intimidated, threatened and assaulted the Kaduna Electric team during routine inspection and cash collection in their area and chased them away.”
The prosecutor told the court that “the suspects mobilized a mob attack on the Kaduna Electric staff and inflicted bodily injuries on them,” adding that “in the process, the Doka Area office Manager Engr. Asmau Ahmed, with one Sergeant Abdulazeez Hussain, sustained injuries during the attack while the staff of the Kaduna Electric where trying to disconnect the area over debts owed the electricity company by residents of the area.
“The Hayin Danbushiya Community, from July 2020 to January 2021, consumed energy valued at N3,271,592:64 ehich was not paid for.”
Meanwhile, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them.
The counsel to the 1st, 3rd – 10th Defendants, Jamilu Suleiman Esq and that of the 2nd defendant, Ahmed Hamza Esq, made oral application for their bail, stressing that the offences allegedly committed were bail able.
In his ruling, the Magistrate of court 6, Kabala Doki, Mohammad Hamza granted the suspects bail in the sum of N100,000 each, with two reliable sureties each and must have means of survival and must produce particulars of their place of residence.
The magistrate however ordered that the suspects be remanded in correctional centre should they fail to meet the bail conditions.
Counsel to the defendants expressed satisfaction with the bail terms and expressed optimism that their clients will meet the bail conditions.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to 19th April, 2021 for commencement of hearing on the matter.
