Three customers, Christopher Folajoye Awosika, Femi Shonubi, and Femi Osayintolu have initiated a N40 million suit against Ikeja Electric Ltd over alleged unlawful disconnection of their electricity.
The suit, which was filed on their behalf by Evans Ufeli in the Ikeja Judicial Division of the Lagos State High Court, claimed that the company wrongfully disconnected their electricity supply in breach of contractual agreements and negligence.
The claimants, residents of 2 Adaramola, Osayintolu Close, Awose Estate, Opebi, Ikeja, jointly held that they have been using a prepaid meter since 2019.
Despite this, Ikeja Electric allegedly claimed they owed nearly N1 million from estimated billings.
The claimants argued that they were never billed, nor were their meters read, adding that they received no disconnection notice until 2022.
Therefore, they are demanding a declaration that the disconnection was illegal, N40 million in damages for the hardship caused, five per cent monthly interest on the judgment sum until paid and N2 million in legal costs.
They also asked the court to address the continued billing on an old account after installing the prepaid meter.
The claimants in their statement of claim averred that they have previously tried to resolve the matter with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and through legal notices, but to no avail, leading “to this court action as a last resort.”
They further averred that they have reasons to believe that they are being targeted/victimised by the defendant as the firm has come to disconnect their electricity supply.
“Following this, five families have been put into darkness, and by this continuous injury, they have been left in utter distress,” the lawyer explained.
The claimants, therefore, are seeking a declaration “that the defendant’s action – disconnecting their electricity supply was wrongful, illegal and a breach of the contractual agreement between the claimant and the defendant.
They asked for “an order directing the defendant to pay to the claimants the sum of N40 million being general damages for the nuisance, unnecessary and wanton embarrassment and hardship unleashed upon the claimants who have never been indebted to the defendants.”
Meanwhile, the court has issued a notice of summons to Ikeja Electric to enter an appearance within 42 days, failing which the claimants may proceed and obtain judgment in their absence.
