4 jailed for assaulting EEDC staff, vandalizing installation
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has restated its determination to protect its staff and prosecute anyone or group that attacks or inflicts harm on them while going about their legitimate duties.
The company also said it is not relenting in prosecuting those vandalising its electrical installations.
The company stated its resolve following the sentencing of Chika George (32 years), Simon Nmerole (61 years) and Jonah Eberechi (20 years) to one year imprisonment respectively by a Magistrate’s court in Mbaise for attacking staff of EEDC attached to Okpofe/Uvuru Service Center, under Mbaise district, Imo State.
The convicts were also accused of unleashing machete cuts on one of the EEDC staff while they were on official duty.
The incident took place on the 25th of September 2017, when the apartment of Simon Nmerole was disconnected for nonpayment of electricity bill.
Court papers indicated that on realising the disconnection, Simon Nmerole mobilised his cohorts, including Chika George who rushed to the scene with a machete and inflicted cuts on one of the staff.
The trio, who are indigenes of Umuekeugo Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, were charged and prosecuted on five-count charge bordering on assault, threat and conspiracy.