By Felix Kuyinu
Three employees at a relaxation centre identified as Black Bell Restaurants in Lekki have been arrested over accusations of tapping electricity from their workplace to a neighbouring company.
The accused: David Oladipupo, 27, Bello Rotimi, 30, and Vincent Ohanuma, 29, alledgely commited the act at the firm located at 26, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos.
Police operatives at Maroko division, where the matter was reported, disclosed that the gang tapped their employer’s electricity to one Jay Plug Company.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Hafsat Ajibode, in a suit marked M/32/2024, informed at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, where the suspects were arrainged, that the alleged offence was commited on September 19. She added that the alleged offences were punishable under sections 411,340 and 415 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Ajiboye further mentioned that the defendants, who are on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, carried out the act for a fee of N100,000 monthly.
The Prosecutor added that the company sensed an unusual increase in electricity charges by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC. As a result, a complain was logged to the power distribution company.
Investigations by the EKEDC officials revealed that the increase resulted from the consumption of power by Jay Plug Company.
The Police added that, the suspects, knowing that the matter was reported to the police, absconded. However, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Maroko division, CSP Ganiyu Raji, swiftly directed his crack team led by one Inspector Otolor Monday on a manhunt of the defendants.
The Police team the gang and and arrested them at their hideout.
The defendants, at the court, pleaded not guilty.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Gbajumo Ayoku, granted them bail in sum of N450,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
The Magistrate ordered that the trio be detained at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail terms.
The matter will be revisited in court on November 18.
