The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Monday, arraigned four persons, namely, Moses Timothy, Jeffrey Lawrence, Augustine Abila, and Caleb Kamiru before a Federal High Court in Enugu on two-count charge of alleged vandalisation of underground, amoured cables belonging to the Enugu State Rural Electrification Agency.

The NSCDC said the defendants committed the act on 1st July, 2024, lamenting the awful impacts of vandalisation on water and electricity delivery in the state.

The charge marked FHC/EN/CR/140/2024 read in part, “That you, Moses Timothy, Joefrey Lawrence, Augustine Abila, Caleb Kamiru and others at large on or about the 1st day of July, 2024, at Kingsway/Aria Road, GRA, Enugu north LGA in Enugu State within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired to willfully remove underground amoured cables belonging to Enugu State Rural Electrification Agency without appropriate authority, thereby committing an office contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap.M17 L.F.N 2004 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

Count number two states that the accused also violated the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap.M17 L.F.N 2004 and therefore punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Section of the Act.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in correctional facility, as the presiding judge, Justice F.O Ogunbanjo, adjourned the matter to 24th, 25th, and 26th of September for hearing.

Meanwhile, speaking to newsmen after the court proceedings, counsel to the NSCDC, Amaka Ekoh, said that the agency and the Enugu State Government were now out to stamp out vandalism in the state and ensure that those involved end up in jail.

The lawyer regretted that the activities of vandals were gravely affecting social services such as pipe borne water and street lightins in the state.

“The Enugu State Government and our office, the NCDC are in partnership to make sure they fish out all the vandals in the state. We have street lights everywhere, but in many places they are not working because the unscrupulous ones have been vandalising all the underground armoured cables,” she concluded.

“So, from now onwards, our officers are doing their best. They will be getting the vandals and be charging them to court for the law to take its course.

“If they are found guilty at the end of the day, they will be jailed,” she said.