The federal government has dragged a property developer, Mr Cecil Ezem Osakwe before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over alleged N11m electricity theft.
In the charge, Osakwe was said to have tampered with electricity meters which resulted in the loss of N11million revenue to the federal government.
Osakwe was said to have been caught by the officials of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), allegedly stealing electricity at various properties including his residence, 11 Aso Drive, Abuja.
According to the officials of the power company, the scale of electricity theft by Osakwe at a number of other properties he manages is still under investigation.
Apart from the fresh charge of theft filed against him, Osakwe, the managing director of Abeh Signature Limited, is also facing a criminal charge of N130m fraud before a High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory.
He failed to appear before Justice Idris Mohammed, for his arraignment. He claimed he was not served with the charge sheet.
At the last adjourned date, Justice Idris returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the court.
The case has, however, been assigned to Justice Mohammed Madugu of the FCT High Court.
