A 30 year old Ibrahim Shayibo has been sentenced to a six months imprisonment with option of fine by a Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Justice Babayo Usamatu for assaulting a staff of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc in the course of his official duty in Gombe
The staff, Sani Maigari who worked with the electricity outfit at BCGA 11 KV Feeder was assaulted by the convict for disconnecting his father’s house for non payment of electricity bills.
The matter was immediately reported at the State Low Cost Police station where the culprit was arrested and interrogated.
After the interrogation, Ibrahim Shuayibo who lives at Nasarawo Quarters of Gombe was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court VI with charges of intentional insult, Criminal force and assault under the Penal Code.
Shayibo pleaded guilty when the charges were openly read out to him in the court pursuant to sections 78, 399, 263 and 244 of the Penal Code and 156 – 257 of Criminal Procedures Code.
Consequent upon his admission of guilt, the culprit was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each of the three counts with an option of one thousand naira (N1000) fine.
The Magistrate Babayo Usamatu in his judgment declared, “the accused is hereby found guilty on his plea of guilty and lack of caused why he should not be convicted by this court. The accused Ibrahim Shayibo is accordingly convicted of the offences of Intentional Insult and Criminal Assault under sections 399, 263 and 244 of the Penal Code “.
The convict was also ordered to pay to the company, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc and the victim the sum of five thousand naira (N5000) as compensation for the money expended in their cause of transportation.
Reacting to the judgment, the Managing Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Engr Hashim Ibrahim Bakori who commended the court for doing the correct thing said the company would not take it lightly with anybody who willfully attack or assault any of her staff in the cause of his or her legitimate duty.
He therefore called on customers who were in the habits of assaulting JED PLC staff for disconnecting them on account of their non payment for consumed energies to desist from doing so promising that, “hard times await anybody who attack any of our staff on duty “.
