Kaduna — Following a petition from Kaduna Electric on assault on its staff, the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences, SIPTEO, North West zone, Kaduna, has dragged 10 persons, including 2 women, before a Chief Magistrates Court in Kaduna.
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 criminally intimidated, threatened and assaulted the Kaduna Electric team during routine inspection and cash collection in their area and chased them away.
According to the prosecutor, the suspects mobilised 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 Hussaini sustained injuries while staff of the Kaduna Electric where trying to disconnect the area over debts being owed the electricity company.
The Hayin Danbushiya Community, from July 2020 to January 2021, consumed energy valued at N3,271,592:64 which 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 and that of the 2nd defendant Ahmed Isa Hamza made an oral application for their bail, stressing that the offences allegedly committed is a bailable offence.
In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate court 6 Kabala Doki, His Worship, Mohammad Adamu Hamza, granted the suspects bail in the sum of N100,000 each, with two relaible surety each and must have means of survival and must produce particulars of their place of residence.
The presiding Magistrate however ordered that the suspects be remanded in correctional centre should they fail to meet the bail conditions.
The 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.
