Ogun Workers Arraigned for N22m Energy Theft

Three employees of ATC Nigeria Base Station in Ogijo, Ogun State, were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ogun State Magistrate Court in Sagamu over allegations of fraudulent electricity diversion.

The accused—Sikiru Oyedokun (50), Oladimeji Monsuru (46), and Abraham Ebenezer (33)—are facing charges of stealing electricity worth N22,887,474.28 from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

According to the charge sheet, the crime occurred in two separate periods: from September 17, 2019, to May 5, 2022, and from August 3, 2023, to December 5, 2024.

The theft involved the illegal appropriation of 165,033.18 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of electricity from the ATC Nigeria Base Station, located at Site ID: No. OG0061, in Ogijo.

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The trio is accused of conspiring to unlawfully divert electricity, an offense punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State.

They are also charged with the unlawful use and diversion of electrical power, an offense punishable under Section 400 of the Criminal Code.

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The prosecution outlined that the stolen electricity was valued at N22,887,474.28, and emphasized that the action caused significant financial loss to the IBEDC.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, with their counsel requesting liberal bail terms, stressing that the accused were merely employees and not the company owners.

In response, Magistrate Olayinka Idowu granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N7 million, with one surety each who must have properties within the Sagamu district and provide evidence of tax payments to the Ogun State Government.

The court adjourned the case until January 9 and 10, 2025, for trial.