BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A 40-year-old electrician, Suleiman Wasiu, has been arrested by the Police for allegedly stealing and damaging prepaid meters belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Wasiu was accused of damaging a meter at Omobolanle area and also stealing another at Prime area, both in Osogbo, capital of Osun State.
The suspect was arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful damage and theft.
The police prosecutor, Fagboyinbo Abiodun, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, informed the court that Wasiu and others, at large, conspired and damaged a prepaid IBEDC meter on May 19, 2023, at about 12:05pm at Omobolanle area of Osogbo.
Abiodun added that the defendant had, on December 10, 2022, stolen another IBEDC prepaid meter, valued at N100,000.
The charge read, “That you Sulaiman Wasiu and others at large on the 19th day of May 2023 at about 12.05pm, at Omobolanle area, Osogbo, did willfully damage prepaid IBEDC meter, property of IBEDC, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code CAP 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State Nigeria 2002.
“That you Sulaiman Wasiu and others, at large, on the 10th day of December 2022, at Prime area, Osogbo, did steal one prepaid meter, valued at One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00), property of IBEDC and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code CAP 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State Nigeria.”
Wasiu pleaded not guilty to the offences and his counsel, Tunbosun Oladipupo, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, promising that he would be available to stand his trial.
Magistrate M. A. Olatunji granted the accused person bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in the same amount. The surety is to be a civil servant not below grade level 12 and the addresses of the surety must be verified by the prosecutor.
The case was adjourned till June 28 for hearing.
