Owing to the activities of energy thieves and vandals, the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has concluded arrangements to commence the prosecution via the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah the Managing Director, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed disclosed this during the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop organized by the company in conjunction with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Taskforce on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO), Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja and the Inspector-General of Police.

Engr Mohammed said that the action was necessitated by the fact that the menace of these criminal elements has become a threat to the survival of the company hence the need to bring in the two prosecuting federal bodied to help in the expeditious arrest and prosecution of offenders without compromise via the instrumentality of the Electricity Act.

According to him, the Electricity Act introduces legal consequences for various illegal activities related to electricity theft, illegal meter tampering/bypassing, and intentional damage to electricity infrastructure.

The Act he said criminalizes these actions and prescribes penalties for those found guilty.

In his words, ” Electricity theft now attracts a sentence of 6 months to 3 years imprisonment, while theft of electricity lines and materials can result in imprisonment between 3 to 5 years. Receiving stolen electricity is a felony with a 14-year maximum sentence”.

He explained further that Interfering with meters or the works of licensees is punishable by three years imprisonment.

The Managing Director also explained that obstructing licensee (Disco) staff from carrying out lawful activities now attracts a jail term of 6 years and a minimum fine of N2 million.

While encouraging staff of the company to go about their duty in a very honourable manner, he cautioned them to note that “it is worth noting that anyone who aids, abets, or counsels the commission of any of the offences outlined in the Act will face the same penalties as the principal offender”.

He said that the management decided to train and expose the staff of the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) on how to identify all forms of electricity theft, how to investigate and prosecute offenders, evidence gathering documentation and preservation as well as methodologies for the prosecution of offenders.

“You are expected to be the vanguard in the fight against these debaucheries by some customers and staff to safeguard the company from its current revenue collection miseries”, he charged participants.

In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar who enjoined participants to discharge their duties without fear or favour said, “You are to secure our revenue to enable us to meet our revenue requirements and as you know, failure will adversely affect our business”.

The Chief Operating Officer who admonished staff to exhibit a high premium of integrity in the course of their duties advised them not to combine customers as anyone caught would be subjected to severe punishment disclosed, “We are training you so that you will understand the laws to enable you to know how to go about the job”.

In his contribution, the Deputy Director of, Public Prosecution, Office of Attorney-General of the Federation, Barrister Alli Baba who is one of the trainers who disclosed that prosecution of offenders would soon commence called on management not to insulate erring staff from punishment.