Yuletide blackout looms as Ikeja Electric sealed for consumer violations

We’re engaging with regulator – power firm

_________________________
By Adewale Sanyaolu

Except a speedy resolution is reached, consumers under the Ikeja Electric network coverage area 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 action of the commission follows a long period of non-compliance.

Adeyinka disclosed further that NERC 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 despite the order by NERC, Ikeja Electric failed to carry out that decision, adding that the non-compliance on the part of Ikeja Electric has led to the complainant being 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 2 October 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 at the action of the FCCPC 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 said the failure of Ikeja Electric to carry out the directive by the FCCPC was not an act of disobedience but because such a mandate by the FCCPC does not fit into the company’s operational procedure, which, he said, the company has communicated to the regulator in writing.