The police on Tuesday arraigned a 39-year-old man, Segun Emmanuel, before a Dutse Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing about N3.4 million worth of electricity.
Emmanuel, a tenant at Arab Road, Kubwa, is facing a charge bordering on theft of electricity.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge
The prosecuting counsel, Mrs Julianna Atinko alleged that the defendant tampered with an Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) prepaid meter at his residence.
She alleged that Emmanuel bypassed the meter and consumed electricity worth about N3.4 millon between November 2024 and Aug. 28, 2026.
The prosecutor said the offence was discovered when an AEDC prepaid meter monitoring team visited the premises on Aug. 20.
She said the team discovered that the defendant had tampered with the AEDC installation and bypassed the meter.
According to her, one Mr Orogun Ernest, the landlord and owner of the apartment where the incident occurred reported the matter at the Byazhin Divisional Police Headquarters, Kubwa, on Aug. 28
Atinko added that Emmanuel confessed to have committed the offence during police investigation and an evidential report was subsequently issued by AEDC.
She said that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.
The senior magistrate, Mr. Ibrahim Alkali ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody and adjourned the matter until Dec 14 for hearing.
