A Lagos-based lawyer, Tope Alabi, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe and – if found culpable – prosecute Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) Plc officials over alleged disconnection and incorrect billing.
Alabi asserted that despite having a pre-paid meter since February 2021 and not being indebted to IKEDC, he was wrongfully billed the sum of N466, 484.56 as cumulative bills from March till November 2021.
He said despite following all procedures and involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), IKEDC denied him access to buy electricity units.
This, he explained, had cut off electricity to his law firm at Ikeja for months, resulting in spending N6, 000 daily to fuel his generating set.
The applicant, whose law firm is at No. 1 (Old No.4) Fadeyi Street, Off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos State since January 1, 2018 till date, stated that it was to avoid such irregular billing that he secured the prepaid meter.
Alabi, in his January 5, 2022 letter to the agency, requested a probe of Ikeja Electric Plc systems “that roll out automatic charges” whether consumed or not; ‘Ikeja Electric books of accounts’ containing records of charges collected from customers and ‘Ikeja Electric Plc mode of operations’ among others.
Alabi said: “The property belonged to the late Afolabi Mohammed. There was an old meter with Account No. 0100347913, which served the office between January 2018 and February 9, 2021 when a prepaid meter I applied for was installed and I commenced use of the prepaid meter on February 10, 2021 until the credit on it expired on March 11, 2021.
“I could not recharge anymore. I started using my generators from March 11, 2021 till October 23, 2021 when I was able to load the credit.
When contacted, the head, corporate communications, IKEDC, Mr. Felix Ofulue, who apologised to the complainant for any inconvenience caused to him, said inviting the EFCC was not the right thing to do because there is a process to document a complaint, especially when it has to do with wrongful billing.
“We have formal Customer Care channel for query resolution. So, he should send his complaints through this channel with justification and if there are any anomalies, it will be addressed appropriately.
“These channels are professionally equipped to handle such matter and provide resolution. We apologise for any inconveniences caused.”
