Ebonyi High Court Sentences Four to Seven Years for Vandalizing EEDC Facility
The Ebonyi State High Court, sitting in the Afikpo Judicial Division and presided over by Hon. Justice Nicholas E. Nwode, has sentenced four individuals,Ikechukwu Esseh, Ikedinachi Uche, Ukpai Godwin, and Uchenna Kalu to seven years’ imprisonment for vandalism, theft, and conspiracy.
The convicts were arrested on November 28, 2023, for attacking a 7.5MVA Injection Substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).
The facility is located along Education Board Road in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
This development was disclosed on Wednesday in Enugu by Mr. Emeka Ezeh, Group Head, Corporate Communications at EEDC.
According to Mr. Ezeh, the presiding judge, after a thorough review of the evidence presented and taking into account the alarming rise in vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure in the area, sentenced the accused as follows:Count One (Conspiracy): Five years’ imprisonment,Count Two (Vandalism): Seven years’ imprisonment,Count Three (Stealing): Five years’ imprisonment
The sentences are to run concurrently without the option of a fine.
The management of EEDC has commended the judiciary for the swift and decisive judgement, expressing hope that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
“We commend the judiciary for the judgement and hope that this will serve as a deterrent to others who may be inclined to engage in such criminal acts,” it stated.
EEDC also expressed appreciation to the General Youth President and the Afikpo Task Force Team for their proactive role in apprehending the culprits, describing it as a commendable example of community involvement in protecting public infrastructure.
Mr. Ezeh called on residents and customers to take an active role in safeguarding electrical installations within their communities.
He lamented the negative impact of vandalism on the company’s operations and service delivery:
“These criminal acts force us to divert scarce resources to repair and replace vandalized equipment,funds that would otherwise be used to improve other areas of our operations for the benefit of our customers,” he said.
He urged the public to remain vigilant, stressing that vandalism inevitably leads to service disruptions, increased operational costs, and inconvenience for all.
