Tope Alabi, a Lagos-based lawyer, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate his legal firm’s alleged improper billing and denial of access to Ikeja Electric Plc’s energy units.
Despite having a pre-paid meter since February 2021 and without owing Ikeja Electric, Alabi claims he was unfairly charged N466, 484.56 in cumulative bills from March to November 2021.
The lawyer, in his January 5, 2022 letter to the agency, requested a probe of Ikeja Electric Plc systems “that roll out automatic charges;” books of accounts containing records of charges collected from customers; and mode of operations,” among others.
He said he had followed all procedures and involved the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), but had been denied access to buy electricity units.
This, he said, had resulted in his law firm being cut off from electricity for months, and his spending N6, 000 daily to fuel the chambers’ generating sets.
When contacted, Ikeja Electric Head of Corporate Communications Felix Ofulue said: “There is a process to document a complaint, especially when it has to do with wrongful billing. We have a formal Customer Care channel for query resolution. So, he should send his complaints through this channel with justification and if there are any anomalies, they will be addressed appropriately. These Channels are professionally equipped to handle such matters and provide resolution. We apologize for any inconveniences caused.”
