The Badagry Magistrate’s Court has remanded three suspects; Sikiru Suleman, 43; Omoghene Emmanuel, 19; and Ezike Eucharia, 42, in Badagry Correctional Centre for assaulting a staff of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Miss Janet Onosherena Alugbhe, at Hughes Avenue in Alasia Ijanikin, Lagos
According to an official statement by the spokesperson of EKEDC, Godwin idemudia, the suspects assaulted the victim while discharging her lawful duties as a field-representative officer. On April 17, 2022, Miss Alugbhe visited the area to collect evidence of meter bypass after she had received information about the massive cases of such illegal activity in that area. On her way out of the avenue, she was mobbed and violated by about 30 people. She was pulled from a bike by her hair, her clothes were torn, and personal effects seized. She was forced to unlock her phone and all the data she had gathered on the cases of the meter bypass was deleted.
‘In all my years, I have never heard of such barbaric act, and those involved should be ashamed of themselves,’ Idemudia complained.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the 5-count charge levelled against them before the Court. After taking the evidence from witnesses called by the prosecution, the Court granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N300,000, with 2 sureties in like sum residing in Lagos State, gainfully employed and with 3 years Tax Clearance.
Idemudia further expressed his aversion to these unlawful acts and reiterated that the Company has a zero-tolerance policy on assault and will go to the full extent of the law to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. He affirmed that EKEDC is currently implementing initiatives to reduce the assault on its staff. He also encouraged customers to use Company’s available complaint resolutions to make their complaints legitimately. The platforms include the hotline – 07080655555, email – customercare@ekedp.com, and the social media handles: Facebook – @ekoelectricity, and Twitter – @ekedp. EKEDC also has 23 customer complaints centers across its network to address customers’ complaints and enquiries.
Juliet Damilola