Man, 38, five others dragged to court over alleged damage to vehicle tyres worth N600,000, assault in Edo
Benin City Table Water Company Employee Faces Charges for Malicious Damage
Benin City—Sidot Ekpenyong, a 38-year-old employee of a local table water company, appeared in an Ogbeson Magistrate Court on charges of conspiring to cause malicious damage to company property, specifically the tires of a vehicle valued at approximately N600,000.
The case, identified by suit number Mogb/20c/26/A 2026, was brought forward by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ifeanyi Bright Oluoma. Alongside Ekpenyong, five additional individuals remain at large and are also named in the suit.
The charges against Ekpenyong include unlawful assault, malicious damage, and conspiracy. According to court documents, on January 14, 2026, in the Okhuaihe community of Benin City, Ekpenyong and the unnamed accomplices allegedly assaulted Emeka Martins and conspired to damage the rear tire of a Dyna truck, registered as UBJ 637 ZY, belonging to Oluoma.
Additionally, the defendants reportedly towed the truck, loaded with Oloma table water worth N140,000, from Okhuaihe to the Chinese Civil and Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in the Ahor community, an act described in the charge as potentially breaching the peace.
The offences are said to contravene sections 172, 353, and 184 of the Criminal Laws of Edo State of Nigeria, 2022.
During proceedings on February 12, 2026, police prosecutor Rufus Pereware requested an adjournment, citing the absence of complainant Emeka Martins due to health issues stemming from the alleged assault. He indicated that Martins has been hospitalized for treatment but hopes to be fit for the next hearing.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Nwoha, subsequently adjourned the case until March 19, 2026, for further proceedings.
