Man fined for tampering with ECG power distribution system
Osu District Magistrate’s court on Thursday imposed a fine of GH¢2,400 on Emmanuel Kofi Appiah for tempering with power distribution system of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
Appiah, an electrician, who allegedly installed credit meter in a witness shop for Ghc 500, would go to jail for 18 months in default.
The convict, who was charged for intentionally interfering with ECG power distribution system (meter) pleaded guilty, and prayed the court to mitigate the punishment.
Sentencing Appiah, the court presided over by Mr. Aboagye Tandoh, said it took into consideration the current power distribution in the country, which is affecting sectors of the economy.
According to the court, the conduct of the convict was critical to power supply in the country.
The court earlier imposed a fine of GH¢3,000 on the convict, but he pleaded for leniency as his wife had just given birth, and he had other children to cater for.
Four lawyers intervened and prayed the court to reduce the fine arguing that Appiah had showed enough remorse.
They said if the fine was reduced, the convict would be able to pay, become free and tell other electricians, who involve in similar offence, about his ordeal .
The court obliged to the request of the lawyers and reduced the fine from GH¢3,000 to GH¢2,400.
Appiah had already deposited GH¢2,000 as security to the court when he was first arraigned and discharged for want of prosecution.
Mr. Paul Asibi Abariga, counsel for ECG, told the court that the complainant, Mr. Gabriel Dowuona Hammond, is the District Commercial Officer of the company at Bortianor, Accra.
Prosecution said in January 2012, Kobla Dagbenyo, a witness in the matter went to Bortianor District Office and informed the complainant that he had not been billed ever since ECG meter was installed in his shop at Gbawe.
Mr. Abariga said during inspection, it was detected that the meter was illegally installed.
He said during interrogation, the witness mentioned Appiah as the one who installed the meter and collected GH¢500.
Mr. Abariga said Appiah admitted the offence.
The court heard that the complainant removed the meter from the witness shop and lodged a complaint with ECG’s Investigation Unit.
Source: GNA