FCCPC Takes Action Against Ikeja Electric

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday sealed an operational office of Ikeja Electric over persistent consumer rights violations and repeated refusal to comply with regulatory directives issued by relevant authorities.

The enforcement action, carried out in Lagos, was led by Engr. Idayat Olorungbebe, who represented the FCCPC’s Director of Surveillance and Investigation, Mrs. Bola Adeyinka. The operation, which drew public attention, marked a significant escalation in the Commission’s efforts to curb what it described as “ongoing disregard for consumer protection rules” by the electricity distribution company.

Olorungbebe told journalists that the decision to shut down the facility followed Ikeja Electric’s failure to implement a binding resolution issued earlier by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). According to her, the company had been directed to address a series of complaints raised by consumers but failed to comply despite multiple warnings and regulatory interventions.

“This enforcement became necessary following Ikeja Electric’s persistent violations and its refusal to implement a critical resolution issued by NERC,” she said. “The Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers are not subjected to unfair treatment, and any operator that violates the law will be held accountable.”

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She emphasized that the sealed office would remain closed pending full compliance with directives, including restitution for affected consumers. The Commission further warned that distribution companies must treat consumers fairly, especially in areas related to billing, metering, service availability and response time to complaints.

According to FCCPC officials, several unresolved complaints involved arbitrary billing, failure to provide prepaid meters after payment, denial of customer access to complaint channels, and refusal to reverse disputed charges as instructed by regulators.

Residents and business owners in the affected area expressed mixed reactions to the development. Some welcomed the move as a long overdue intervention, while others worried that the closure might disrupt electricity-related services temporarily.

Olorungbebe, however, clarified that the enforcement was targeted at administrative operations and would not automatically affect electricity distribution, as technical operations are handled separately. She stressed that the Commission’s goal is to compel compliance not to punish consumers by disrupting power supply.

The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with NERC and other regulatory bodies to protect electricity consumers across the country. It also warned that additional enforcement actions may follow should other distribution companies fail to comply with established consumer protection standards.

Ikeja Electric had not issued an official response as of the time of filing this report.