Two persons, Isaac Eribadu and Sunday Olaleke who were last week arrested by the Police in Ojodu BU/Undertaking for impersonating Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC, staff and illegally disconnecting/extorting customers for non-payment of bills, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Ikosi Magistrate Court.
The arraignment was part of the quest to quash the activities of impostors who extort money from members of the public under the guise of being staff of the Ikeja Distribution Company (IKEDC).
The accused pleaded not guilty to charges of impersonation and were each granted bail upon the conditions of N100,000 bail bond and Level 8 Civil Servant as sureties.
In the interim, they have been remanded to prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions, while the case was adjourned to 5th March 2014 for trial.
Speaking on the development, Pekun Adeyanju, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, IKEDC said the case will serve as a deterrent to persons who have been impersonating IKEDC staff as well as vandalizing the company’s equipment and installations.
Adeyanju said IKEDC had continued to sensitise members of the public on the activities of impostors adding that the Disco is partnering with relevant authorities to ensure that the issue of vandalism, sabotage and theft is addressed. “We will stop at nothing to ensure that defaulters are duly prosecuted,” he stressed.
He said members of the public need to know that no one including current and past PHCN or IKEDC staff is authorized to make monetary or other demands from customers in return for reconnection or allocation of pre-paid meters.
“We urge members of the public to rebuff these impostors and report such cases via email : customercare@ikedc.com to or the nearest IKEDC office and we will follow up such cases to conclusion.”
Adeyanju stated that IKEDC remained solely responsible for the supply, repair and replacement of its equipment and installations.
“We have since commenced customer education campaigns aimed at creating awareness of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and encouraging customer involvement in ensuring the success of the Power Reforms,” he added.