One of the staff of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), James Olayemi, has been handed a six months imprisonment for unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to the premises of the company’s customer, Dennis Osanwuta.
Tanko Muhammed, of the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lokoja, on Thursday, also ordered immediate reconnection of electricity supply to Mr Osanwuta’s premises.
The judge said that Mr Olayemi, the first defendant in the suit, was convicted and sentenced accordingly for running contrary to various sections of the extant laws on electricity services.
He, however, absolved the AEDC Regional Manager, Lameed Obadaki, the second defendant, of any complicity on the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and unlawful disconnection.
The judge consequently discharged and acquitted Mr Obadaki, saying that from the evidence before him, there was no link between him and the criminal activities of the first defendant.
He said that Mr Olayemi’s offence was punishable under Section 94 of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005.
According to the chief magistrate, Section 5 provides that electricity consumers must be given a maximum of 10 days for payment of electricity bills.
“The EPSR also provides for a three-month written notice disconnection to a customer before AEDC can affect an impending disconnection.
