Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Electricity theft case against Abuja developer adjourned until April

The electricity theft case filed by the federal government against an Abuja property developer, Cecil Osakwe, has been adjourned until April 15.

• January 25, 2024
Prepaid meters
Prepaid meters used to illustrate the story

The electricity theft case filed by the federal government against an Abuja property developer, Cecil Osakwe, has been adjourned until April 15.

The case, filed before Justice Binta Nyako at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, was slated for hearing on Thursday. However, it did not go on as the court did not sit.

Counsel in the matter, after agreeing, picked April 15 for continuation of trial in the case.

The government sued Mr Osakwe over alleged N11 million electricity theft.

In the charge, Mr Osakwe was accused of tampering with electricity metres, resulting in the government losing N11 million in revenue, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

Mr Osakwe was allegedly caught by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) officials for allegedly stealing electricity at various properties, including his residence.

The defendant, however, challenged the legality of the task force that investigated the process leading to his arraignment.

He claimed that the task force was unknown to the law.

He drew the court’s attention to a pending suit challenging the panel that carried out the investigation.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 1

Super El Niño: Nigeria to be hit hardest by heat deaths, over 30,000 people to die, report says

“The anomalously warm temperatures that most of the globe will see during this El Niño event are a ‘postcard from the future’,” the report said.

Ghanaian flag

Africa

Ghana’s crude output records 30% increase 

The milestone which is a reversal of the country’s five years of sustained decline.

Kano State

Politics

Kano’s ‌only female governorship candidate vows to tackle drug abuse

Ms Ahmad, who is contesting on the Because Of Our Tomorrow party platform, said this in an interview on Wednesday in Kano.

National Park Service

Health

NGO, National Park Service sign MoU to promote health, environmental sustainability 

Mr Goni explained that the MoU was not sacrosanct and could be amended by mutual agreement between both parties.

Palm oil

Economy

Palm Oil: Experts advocate gene editing, improved field management

Oil palm breeding experts have advocated integrating conventional breeding methods, modern biotechnology, and gene-editing technology to boost productivity.

NAF band

Abuja

NAF band strategic to communication, operations, says Aneke

Sunday Aneke, the chief of air staff, says the 2026 Nigerian Air Force music workshop is timely and forward-looking in repositioning military music beyond ceremonial duties.