From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Seven workers of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, including a business manager in the Ondo business district have been arrested for extortion and engaging in fraudulent activities.

Four of the seven staff were handed over to the police for further investigation along with some items, including monies illegally collected from electricity consumers.

The business manager is said to have collected money to energize transformers donated to some communities in Ondo State.

The executive director, commercial, of BEDC, Abu Ismail Ejoor, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin City, said they advised the customer to play along and the staff fell to the plan.

Abu said the manager confessed to the allegation and was handed over to the police.

He stated that six other staff from the Ozoro Service Unit in Ughelli, Delta State, were invited for investigation after complaints showed non-reflection of cash collected from electricity consumers.

Offences committed by the staff according to Abu included diversion of cash, issuance of fake receipts, non-distribution of bills, collection of ‘Customer Registration fees’, illegal reconnection of customers and extortion of consumers, among others.

He explained that one of the affected staff ran away from the Benin City office during investigations.

“We frown at any unwholesome attitude of our staff. We got video and voice evidence against these staff and one of them that committed the act had to turn away while he was undergoing interrogation,” Abu stated.