‎An electricity transformer vandal, Abubakar Dauda, has bagged a two-year jail term for vandalising a 200KVA transformer belonging to BEDC Electricity Plc in Benin City, Edo state.

‎Dauda was convicted and sentenced by the Oredo Magistrate Court II on August 4, 2026, after pleading guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

‎He was arrested after vandalising the Amusement Park 200KVA transformer located in the Country Home area of Benin City.

‎Following his arrest, Dauda was handed over to the New Etete Police Station on July 12 and arraigned before the court on July 14, 2026.

‎The court subsequently remanded him in custody pending trial.

‎He was re-arraigned on August 4, when he pleaded guilty to the two-count charge brought against him and other accomplices said to be at large.

‎Dauda and his accomplices were said to had plunged more than 700 households in the affected area into prolonged darkness and hardship.

‎After considering the evidence before it, including the value of the vandalised BEDC assets, the presiding Chief Magistrate, C.E. Oghuma, found Dauda guilty and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on the two counts.

‎Reacting to the judgment, BEDC Head of Branding and Corporate Communications, Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen, commended the court for the conviction, describing it as an important step in the fight against electricity infrastructure vandalism.

‎”The conviction and sentencing of Dauda is a welcome development. It sends a clear message that those who vandalise electricity infrastructure will be made to face the full weight of the law,” she said.

‎She noted that vandalism of transformers, cables and other electricity facilities not only causes financial losses to BEDC but also deprives customers of essential electricity services.