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The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), will in the coming weeks, get tough on high power-consuming private companies, including operators of cold stores and hotels in the Accra and Tema metropolis, involved in illegal electricity connections to their premises, denying the country billions of cedis, every month. The companies, numbering over 3,000, came on the radar of the state power supplier sometime last year and The Herald has been informed that both the EGC Management and the Board of Directors, have decided to get drastic with the companies involved, by having them pay for the power consumed, as well as, pay penalties for indulging in illegal connections. Already, ECG has initiated action by going after one such company; African Automobile Company Limited (AAL), dealers in Mitsubishi vehicles in Ghana. An Accra Circuit Court 10, on Tuesday January 7, 2014, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two Lebanese directors of AAL, for failing to appear in court, over a criminal case filed against them by ECG. They are, Mohammed Hijazi, Managing Director (MD) and Jehad, a Director. The two, have been charged for conspiracy to commit crime with respect to illegal electricity connection made at their company�s premises, off the Keneshie-Odorkor Road, near Accra Academy Senior High School. Ironically, it was the same company that dragged the Government of Ghana (GoG) to the High Court and Judgment Debts Commission, demanding various debts from the GoG. Director of Public Relations at EGC, in an interview confirmed the resolve of management, led by William Hutton-Mensah and the Board, headed by Tony Oteng Gyasi, to go after the companies and retrieve the monies they owe, failure of which would result in criminal prosecution. Mr. William Boateng, told The Herald that it is about time, both owners of these private companies and the ordinary citizens bear the brunt of illegal connection, especially when almost all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as, state bungalows are now paying for the use of power. �The time, when the ordinary man and women in Nima are arrested and prosecuted for indulging in illegal connection, while a high-consuming company is spared, is behind us�, Mr. Boateng said , adding, nobody will be allowed to enjoy free electricity. On the two Lebanese directors of the AAL, Mr. Boateng explained that their criminal trial aspect has to do with the criminal intent to run down the ECG by stealing power, and the general effect of sabotaging the economy of Ghana. He explained that AAL has settled their indebtedness to the ECG, after they were busted over the illegal power connection; however, they are being pursued in court to settled penalties slapped on them. When the case was earlier called in December last year, Mr. Hijazi, prayed the court to allow him to put in a plea bargain after his Company had issued various cheques to settle its indebtedness to ECG from the year 2001 to 2004 totaling GH�36,248.31 and penalty charges on illegal connections to the tune of GH�43,685.06. But he failed to honour his promise, as well as, show up in court when the case was called. The Court presided over by Mrs. Doris Bempong, a High Court Judge sitting as an additional Circuit Court Judge, has adjourned the case to January 23, 2014. DSP Annor, applied for the bench warrant and indicated that he was ready to prosecute the case to the latter. It would be recalled that the African Automobile Company Limited, dealers in Mitsubishi vehicles in Ghana, were in the news for defrauding ECG to the tune of GH�43,685.06 through illegal connection. This was after the company had failed to pay an amount of GH�36,248.31 of electricity it consumed from 2001 to 2004, and was disconnected by ECG. The Directors were arrested in 2010 and put in the dock for conspiracy to commit crime. Civil action was also taken against the company at the Commercial Court to retrieve the amount it owed ECG, which has been settled. AAL, has shutdown it doors to the public, creating an impression, it was out of business. However, insiders later hinted the EGC that the company had rather connected power illegally into the same premises from a private residence, and using it to transact its business of repairs and maintenance of Mitsubishi vehicles on daily basis. The case has since been adjourned to January 23.