Residents in the Mafoluku, Isolo, and Oshodi areas of Lagos State have filed a lawsuit against the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), alleging issues with estimated billing and persistent power outages.
The suit, dated July 13 and submitted to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, seeks to prevent IKEDC from disconnecting electricity services in these communities.
In a circular distributed throughout the neighbourhoods, the residents demanded that IKEDC provide a court order to substantiate any claims of outstanding payments before proceeding with disconnections.
The plaintiffs include Lawal Ekundayo, Ahmed Olayiwola, Olufemi Dasaolu, and Chigozie Ike.
Ekundayo expressed frustration over what he described as inflated bills that do not accurately reflect actual electricity consumption.
He claimed that some residents were placed on higher billing bands without their consent, leading to unjust charges. “What we have risen up against is a case of injustice; against estimated billings by Ikeja Electric whereby they asked us to pay for what is not a true reflection of what we did not consume,” he stated.
He further highlighted that residents had not received electricity for several days due to alleged maintenance work by IKEDC.
Olayiwola added that the case is set for hearing in November and emphasized that this is not the first time residents have taken legal action against IKEDC.
“What we have posted is just to create awareness that we have approached the court on the matter,” he noted. He also mentioned a previous lawsuit last year, which ended in an out-of-court settlement after IKEDC provided prepaid meters to the community.
