Why School Proprietor Arrested Ghanaian Neighbours, Surcharging Them

BY BALEKAN OLABISI L.

A principal and proprietor of a school in the Jankara area of Alagbado, Lagos has arrested his Ghanaian neighbours over alleged “taping”.

Tapping, is an euphemism for illegal connection of electricity, and it is common in areas where the electricity distribution companies have not supplied consumers with meters.

The proprietor effected the arrest today, Friday, 9 January, 2020.

The man, who simply identified himself as Mr Oludare said he noticed the illegal connection upon closely examining his prepaid meter machine.

Investigation by The Eagle correspondent showed the illegal connection had been going on but was discovered when the principal became alarmed at the rate of his electricity consumption.

He said: “They have been tapping the light for quite some while now but it was confirmed when we got our meter and I noticed that the light runs out on time.

“I took the security guard with me to search some connections leading us to the discovery that our Ghanaian neighbours who weave traditional wears ‘aso-oke’ took a wire over the fence we share and made the wrong connection through our canteen”

Mr Oludare also made it known that he reported to the Police station first and the police men came to make their findings and after seeing the connection, were able to arrest only 3 out of 6 people reportedly to be involved in the act.

One of the alleged illegal tappers, who simply identified himself as Mr.Koffi said: “We have been tapping their light for more than two months now. It is because we always have a problem with our generator; I plead for mercy”, Koffi said.

However, the principal made it known that the school was determined to pursue the case , thereby placing a surcharge of #75,000 on the accused, who however promised a down payment of N50, 000, and the balance to be paid before the end of the month.