•It’s being resolved –Firm

By Adewale Sanyaolu

Unless a speedy resolution is reached, consumers under the Ikeja Electric network may spend Christmas in darkness, as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), yesterday, sealed the corporate headquarters of Ikeja Electric over consumer rights violations.

A statement by the Director, Surveillance and Investigation, FCCPC, Mrs. Bola Adeyinka, explained that the Commission’s action followed a long period of non-compliance.

Adeyinka further disclosed that NERC had issued a binding decision directing Ikeja Electric to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 non-Maximum Demand accounts, to recognise each of the 19 residential units and a service point owned by the complainant as separate customer units, and to provide the required metering and connection.

However, the FCCPC said that despite NERC’s order, Ikeja Electric failed to comply, adding that this non-compliance has left the complainant without electricity supply for more than two and a half years.

“This was despite paying all charges requested by Ikeja Electric and meeting every obligation. The lack of electricity has prevented the complainant from putting the 19 residential units to use. “The Commission engaged Ikeja Electric several times. We notified the company of the complaint and the outstanding NERC decision. In April 2025, we issued a directive that set out the steps required and the timelines for compliance. No action was taken.

“On October 2, 2025, the Commission issued a Compliance Notice requiring full compliance within seven business days. The company still did not comply.”

But the Head of Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Kingsley Okotie, in a telephone interview with Daily Sun said the company was surprised by the FCCPC’s action because discussions were still ongoing at the time the enforcement was carried out. However, he said the company would continue to dialogue with the regulator in order to reach an amicable resolution.

Okotie explained that Ikeja Electric’s failure to carry out the FCCPC directive was not an act of disobedience but because the mandate does not fit into the company’s operational procedure, which, he noted, has been communicated to the regulator in writing.

The Ikeja Electric spokesman added that the company’s technical team visited the property in question, located in Akute, Ogun State, and advised the customer to remain a Maximum Demand customer while installing check meters to determine individual tenant consumption, rather than deploying 20 separate meters, an outcome he said was also communicated to the FCCPC.

He expressed concern that sealing the Ikeja Electric headquarters would disrupt operations and service delivery across the states served by the utility firm, as all coordination is carried out from the headquarters.

Olayinka maintained that Section 17 sets out the Commission’s functions, which include resolving complaints, issuing directives, and taking enforcement action where breaches persist.

She added that Section 18 gives the Commission the powers required to ensure compliance with the Act, including taking enforcement steps such as sealing premises where an undertaking’s conduct has created or prolonged consumer harm.

Olayinka further explained that Section 124 prohibits harassment, coercion, undue influence, or unfair tactics in the supply of goods or services. Withholding or frustrating access to a service in circumstances that cause avoidable hardship falls within this prohibition.

She also cited Section 150 of the FCCPC Act, which allows the Commission to issue a Compliance Notice specifying the steps an undertaking must take to remedy a contravention, and which permits escalation where the undertaking ignores the notice.

“Section 155 makes it an offence for an undertaking to infringe consumer rights. These provisions provide the statutory basis for today’s action. Ikeja Electric’s sustained refusal to carry out a lawful regulatory decision, together with the prolonged deprivation of electricity to 19 residential units, meets the threshold for intervention.

“Sealing this facility is a proportionate enforcement measure taken only after repeated engagement and several opportunities for voluntary compliance. The seal will remain in place until Ikeja Electric complies fully with the directives issued by both NERC and the FCCPC and provides written evidence of that compliance.

“Consumers are entitled to fair treatment and timely access to essential services. The Commission will continue to enforce the law to protect these rights and to ensure that service providers meet their obligations.”