On Tuesday, ten traders were brought before the Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, where they faced charges of allegedly tampering with post-paid analogue electricity meters, which are the property of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The accused include Olalere Alabi, 45, Segun Adesokan, 42, Rabiu Ishola, 42, Kabir Sanusi, 45, Sunday Odunlade, 48, Ayo Suicide, 40, Femi Odogwu, 48, Funmilayo Ayodele, 34, Oluwakemi Abatan, 42, and Josephine Johnson, 53, with three of the defendants being female.

The charges against the defendants are serious, involving a 12-count indictment related to conspiracy, tampering with electricity meters, and causing damage to meters. According to the prosecution, led by ASP Sunday Fatola, the defendants, all traders operating at Temidire Market in Eleyele, Ibadan, allegedly worked together to commit the offense at the market. They are accused of tampering with the seals on the Standard Postpaid meters installed in their shops, which belong to the IBEDC, and thereby defrauding the company by manipulating their electric consumption readings. The prosecution further claims that the defendants also caused damage to the meters.

The actions are said to violate Sections 441, 451, and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Despite the serious nature of the charges, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the accusations.

Magistrate Mrs. S. I. Babalola granted bail to the accused individuals, setting the bail amount at N300,000 each, with one surety required for each defendant in a similar sum. The case continues to unfold, as the defendants await further proceedings in the case.