Businessman Remanded for Assaulting ECG Staff Over Meter Dispute
Accra, Ghana – A businessman in Accra has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly assaulting a staff member of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over a meter issue.
According to Ghana News Agency, General Manager in charge of prosecution, the accused, Habib Shaibu, faces charges of causing harm, intentionally interfering with ECG’s distribution system, and stealing unspecified electricity power. Despite his plea of not guilty, Shaibu’s bail application was denied by the court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, who cited the accused’s intimidating conduct. Shaibu is scheduled to reappear in court on November 17, 2023.
Mr. Abarigah explained that the complainant, Frank Afako, a member of the ECG Revenue Protection Unit, and his team initially visited Shaibu’s mobile phone shop in Ashalley Botwe, Accra, on January 4, 2023. During this visit, they inspected Shaibu’s ECG meter and discovered an alleged illegal power connection using a 2.5 cable before the installation of a prepaid meter. After disconnecting the power and issuing a summons to Shaibu to report to the ECG office at Legon, the accused failed to comply.
On April 4, 2023, the ECG team revisited Shaibu’s shop and found that he had replaced the prepaid meter with a postpaid meter. When questioned about the whereabouts of the removed prepaid meter, Shaibu reportedly could not provide an answer. Following an order to disconnect the power and remove the postpaid meter, Shaibu allegedly assaulted Afako as he exited the shop, resulting in injuries that required medical attention at Ogbojo Poly Clinic and later at the Tema General Hospital.
The incident was referred to the ECG investigation unit, and a police medical form was issued. The endorsed medical form from the Tema General Hospital was returned by the complainant. Further investigation revealed that Shaibu had reconnected to the ECG power supply directly for his business. Shaibu reported to the authorities on August 30, 2023, and assisted in the investigation, during which a caution statement was obtained from him.