A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced one Akoji Jonah to five years’ imprisonment for vandalising armoured transformer cables belonging to Kogi State Electricity Development Limited (KEDL).
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Judith Binjin-Eigege found the convict guilty of vandalising critical electricity infrastructure and economic sabotage. The offence was committed at Biraidu Community in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi State Command, which prosecuted the case, announced the conviction in a statement issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, SC Aliyu Abdullahi.
The State Commandant, Aletan Olumide Ebenezer, commended the command’s Legal Unit, led by DCC Ike Ugochukwu, for its diligence and professionalism in handling the case.
Ebenezer described the judgment as a strong deterrent to individuals and groups involved in destroying public utilities and other critical national assets and infrastructure.
He warned criminals to desist from acts that could disrupt electricity supply, undermine economic development and threaten public safety. He said the command would sustain its operational and intelligence-driven efforts to rid the state of vandals and economic saboteurs.
The NSCDC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around electricity installations and other critical infrastructure to the appropriate security agencies.
“The Command remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives, property and Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across Kogi State,” the statement said.
