By Our Correspondent
A Magistrate Court in Ebonyi State has sentenced four individuals to prison for vandalising critical infrastructure belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The ruling, delivered earlier this week, underscores the state’s intensified crackdown on the rising wave of vandalism targeting power assets across the South-East.
According to details presented in court, the convicts were arrested after they were found tampering with essential EEDC electrical components in a community within the state. Their actions, authorities said, caused considerable damage to the company’s installations, disrupted electricity supply, and posed safety risks to residents.
Prosecutors told the court that the four men acted in conspiracy to dismantle and steal parts from an EEDC distribution facility, violating laws aimed at safeguarding public utilities and national infrastructure. After reviewing witness testimonies and evidence submitted by investigators, the court found the defendants guilty and issued prison sentences meant to reflect the severity of the offense.
In reaction to the judgement, EEDC management commended the swift legal action, noting that vandalism remains one of the biggest obstacles to stable power supply in the region. The company stated that repeated destruction of transformers, cables, and other installations results in huge financial losses and prolonged blackouts for affected communities.
EEDC further urged members of the public to support efforts to curb the menace by promptly reporting suspicious activities around power installations. The company maintained that protecting electrical infrastructure is vital to ensuring reliable and uninterrupted electricity for homes, businesses, and essential services.
