Two guys were punished for allegedly stealing and destroying a transformer

Two individuals were taken before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday for allegedly destroying and stealing components from a transformer belonging to the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The accusers, Arogundade Kamilu, 31, and Fatai Adebowale, 35, pleaded not guilty to the four charges brought against them: conspiracy, breach of the peace, criminal damage to public property, and stealing

Mr Williams Ologun, the prosecuting counsel from the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID), informed the court that the defendants committed the crimes on December 8, 2021, at Rafiu Street in the Araromi Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

According to him, the defendants destroyed a N5 million 500KVA transformer belonging to the defunct PHCN.

He also stated that they stole a transformer coil.

Ologun, explain that the defendants’ damage to the transformer caused a power outage in the vicinity for at least two weeks.

According to the prosecutor, the offences violate Sections 411, 168, 339, and 280 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015. (Revised)

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports indicates that Sections 287 and 339 each provide for a three-year prison sentence for theft and criminal damage to property, respectively, while Section 168 provides for three months in prison for a violation of the peace.

Mrs Linda Balogun, the chief magistrate, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the same amount.

She stipulated that both sureties must be residents of the court’s jurisdiction, gainfully employed, and provide proof of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She also stated that the prosecution must check thedefendants’ residences and sources of income.

Balogun postponed the case till February 10th.