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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Two persons have each been sentenced to three years imprisonment for their roles in vandalising substations.
The cases, adjudicated separately, highlighted the on-going efforts to curb the vandalism of essential infrastructure.
The Ore 2 Magistrate Court in Ondo State, has sentenced Ismaila Adebayo, widely known as Spark Wire to three years imprisonment.
The court’s decision followed a thorough investigation and subsequent trial where Adebayo was found guilty of vandalizing a Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) 500 KVA distribution substation.
This substation, situated at the Total Roundabout in Ore town was severely impacted when Adebayo stole an incomer cable.
During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence that conclusively linked Adebayo to the crime.
The evidences presented to the Chief Magistrate, Fashaun, left no room for doubt regarding Adebayo’s involvement.
As a result, he was handed three years term prison for his actions, which not only caused financial loss but also disrupted the power supply to the local community.
In a separate proceeding, God Save, an indigene of Plateau State, was convicted and sentenced by the Ile-Oluji Chief Magistrate, Dr. Tope Aladejana. Save faced charges related to the vandalism of the BEDC Jibokun substation in Ile-Oluji.
The court found him guilty of dismantling and stealing 100mm by 100 meters aluminium conductors from the facility.
The evidence against God Save included eyewitness accounts and forensic data, which collectively supported the charge of theft and vandalism. Following the trial, God Save was sentenced to three years imprisonment and subsequently transferred to Segede Prison in Ondo City.
In response to these rulings, the Regional Head, Ondo Region on behalf of the management of BEDC, Remi Faola, expressed his appreciation for the judicial system’s efforts to combat infrastructure vandalism.
