The Tamale District Court 1 recently made a strong statement on the issue of illegal power connections by sentencing Wahab Shiraz to six months in prison with hard labour, without the option of a fine.
In addition to the jail term, Shiraz was also ordered to pay a fine of 500 penalty units, amounting to GHS 6,000, to be remitted to the state. Furthermore, he must compensate the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) with a sum of GHS 10,096.55, representing the estimated value of the electricity he unlawfully obtained.
Failure to adhere to these directives could result in an additional seven-month sentence if Shiraz neglects to pay the GH¢6,000 fine, thus extending his total imprisonment period to 13 months.
Shiraz, a resident of Bulpella in Tamale, admitted guilt to the charges of tampering with the electricity distribution system under Rule 41(2A) and 1(6) of the Electricity Supply and Distribution Rules 2005 (L.I. 1816).
The illicit activities of Shiraz came to light during NEDCo’s Mass Revenue Mobilisation Exercise in December 2023. Despite receiving a notice for an unauthorized connection and failing to cooperate with the subsequent investigation, Shiraz was referred to the Tamale police, leading to his prosecution and eventual conviction.
Following the court’s ruling, NEDCo’s legal representative, Ms. Esther Yirbom, emphasized the importance of refraining from engaging in illegal power connections and encouraged the public to explore the resolution options provided by NEDCo. She noted that offenders who cooperate by reimbursing the stolen electricity and signing a bond of good behavior may encounter reduced penalties in court.
While these measures do not absolve the offense, they serve to mitigate the severity of punishment. Ms. Yirbom cautioned against illegal power connections, citing Shiraz’s case as an example of the severe consequences that could ensue.
It is imperative for individuals to adhere to legal processes and uphold ethical behavior in matters relating to electricity consumption to avoid facing similar repercussions as Shiraz.
