Three employees of ATC Nigeria Base Station, Ogijo, were arraigned before the Ogun State Magistrate Court, Sagamu, on Tuesday over allegations of fraudulent appropriation of 165,033.18 kilowatts of electricity worth ₦22,887,474.28, belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The defendants, 50-year-old Sikiru Oyedokun, 46-year-old Oladimeji Monsuru, and 33-year-old Abraham Ebenezer, allegedly committed the offence between September 17, 2019, and May 5, 2022, as well as August 3, 2023, and December 5, 2024, at Site ID: No. OG0061 in Ogijo, Ogun State.
They were charged with two counts: fraudulent appropriation of electricity and unlawful diversion of power, violating Sections 516 and 400 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects conspired with others at large to fraudulently divert electricity valued at over ₦22.8 million to their company’s site.
The defendants pleaded not guilty. Their counsel requested bail, emphasizing their status as employees rather than owners of the implicated company.
Magistrate Olayinka Idowu granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦7 million, with one surety who must reside within Ogun State, own landed property in the magisterial district, and present evidence of tax payment.
The case was adjourned to January 9 and 10, 2025, for trial.
