An Abuja resident, Ogbede, of Kado Village, Life Camp, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of criminal intimidation and assault.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
The Prosecutor, Charity Nwachukwu, told the court that the case was reported by George Williams, the Chief Security Officer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Wuse Zone 4 office, at the Life Camp Police Station.
According to Nwachukwu, the defendant assaulted and obstructed AEDC workers while they were lawfully disconnecting his electricity. He allegedly beat up an AEDC official, Gloria Azobu, and climbed the company’s ladder while another worker, Momoh Abubakar, was trying to disconnect his power supply.
The prosecutor further stated that Ogbede owed AEDC N1 million in unpaid electricity bills and had refused to settle the debt.
During the attempted disconnection, the defendant allegedly threatened to kill himself and the AEDC official on the ladder.
Following police investigations, Ogbede was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions. His charges contravene Sections 97 and 265 of the Penal Code.
Chief Magistrate Musa Jobbo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N800,000, with a surety of the same amount. The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide a reliable means of identification.
The case has been adjourned until April 30 for hearing.
