By Ghazali Ibrahim
Fresh allegations have emerged against Ikeja Electric over what residents describe as an unlawful demand for payment following a damaged electricity pole in the Oriwu axis of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The controversy stems from an incident in which a vehicle reportedly drove by one Amidu Majeed Adeyemi rammed into a concrete pole while attempting to evade suspected armed robbers later identified by witnesses as policemen in mufti allegedly driving against traffic.
In the aftermath, the distribution company sent a detailed invoice demanding payment for repairs totalling a huge sum of N3.288 million in cost.
However, after much persistent and negotiations, the vehicle owner transferred N1.5 million to the Zenith Bank of the DisCos company. This in fact has break extant laws of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission that abhor collection of any money for repairs by the DisCos company unless it is ‘willfully’ damaged.
However, regulatory provisions by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) clearly state that electricity consumers are not required to pay for the repair or replacement of distribution company assets, except where there is proven willful damage.
“Electricity consumers are not required to pay for the repair and/or replacement of DisCo assets except in cases where it is proven that the customer(s) willfully destroyed such assets,” the commission states in its customer guidelines.
The regulation further emphasises that infrastructure such as poles and transformers are the responsibility of distribution companies, as the cost of such assets is already embedded in electricity tariffs paid by consumers.
Residents of the affected Ikorodu communities have described the situation as “collective punishment,” accusing the utility of holding entire neighbourhoods in darkness despite the disputed payment.
The blackout has reportedly affected homes, small businesses, and critical services, worsening economic strain in the area.
While it is not uncommon for communities in Nigeria to contribute funds for electricity infrastructure due to systemic challenges, NERC maintains that such arrangements must follow strict guidelines, including formal agreements and provisions for reimbursement.
As of the time of filing this report, Ikeja Electric has repaired the faulty pole but the alleged extortion still remains with no response on whether the money will be refunded back to the vehicle owner.
The development is likely to intensify scrutiny on electricity distribution companies across Nigeria, amid growing complaints over billing practices, infrastructure responsibilities, and consumer rights enforcement.
For many residents in Ikorodu, however, the issue is more immediate, restoration of power and accountability over what they insist is an unlawful demand.
