By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said it has concluded arrangements to appeal a recent judgement by a Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital in which one of its employees was convicted for what the court described as unlawful disconnection of a customer of the electricity distribution company.
This was disclosed by the general manager, Corporate Communication, AEDC, Mr Oyebode Fadipe, in a notice he posted Sunday on a social medium.
On Thursday, August 12, a Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court sentenced a staff of AEDC, Mr James Olayemi, to six months imprisonment for unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to the premises of the company’s customer, Dennis Osanwuta.
AEDC is the franchise electricity distribution company in Nigeria that supplies the electricity from the national grid to consumers in Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The notice read in part thus: “AEDC Plc is dissatisfied with the judgment of the Magistrate Court and has therefore instructed its lawyers to appeal the decision of the court as a reflection of her positon, which is contrary to the judgment of the court.
“The management of AEDC Plc hereby assures its esteemed customers and stakeholders of its commitment to the obedience of the laws and regulations that are relevant to its operations in the NESI.”
Delivering the judgment the Chief Magistrate, Dr Tanko Muhammed, also ordered immediate reconnection of electricity supply to Osanwuta’s premises.
The judge said that Olayemi, the first defendant in the suit, was convicted and sentenced accordingly for running contrary to various sections of the extant laws on electricity services. He, however, absolved the AEDC Regional Manager, Lameed Obadaki, the second defendant, of any complicity on the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and unlawful disconnection.
The judge consequently discharged and acquitted Obadaki, saying that from the evidence before him, there was no link between him and the criminal activities of the first defendant.
He said that Olayemi’s offence was punishable under Section 94 of Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005.
According to the chief magistrate, Section 5 provides that electricity consumers must be given maximum of 10 days for payment of electricity bills.
“The EPSR also provides for a three-month written notice disconnection to a customer before AEDC can effect an impending disconnection.
“In view of evidence before me, the complainant has not been given such opportunity; therefore, the first defendant is guilty as charged.
“I hereby sentence you to six months imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000,” he said.
Osanwuta, a management staff of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lokoja, had instituted the suit against both Olayemi and Obadaki.
“AEDC brought a bill of N275,000 to me for the month of February 2020 which I paid. Also in the month of March, the same company brought a bill of N130,000 which I paid, even though the bills were in contention.
“I was not owing AEDC a kobo when the duo of James Olayemi and Lameed Obadaki, without prior notice, went ahead to disconnect my light and all entreaties to restore supply failed,” he said.