FCCPC seals Ikeja Electric HQ over 2.5-year consumer rights breach

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) took decisive action on Thursday by sealing the headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IE) in Ikeja, citing persistent violations of consumer rights and defiance of regulatory directives.

The move according to a statement obtained from the Commission stems from Ikeja Electric’s failure to implement a binding decision by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which ordered the company to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 separate non-Maximum Demand accounts.

This would recognize 19 residential units and one service point owned by a complainant as distinct customer units, complete with metering and connections.

In its official statement, the FCCPC highlighted the severe impact: “Because of this failure, the complainant has been without electricity supply for more than two and a half years. This was despite paying all charges requested by Ikeja Electric and meeting every obligation. The lack of electricity has prevented the complainant from putting the nineteen residential units to use.”

Despite multiple interventions, Ikeja Electric ignored repeated notices.

The FCCPC noted, “In April 2025, we issued a directive that set out the steps required and the timelines for compliance. No action was taken. On 2nd October 2025, the Commission issued a Compliance Notice requiring full compliance within seven business days. The company still did not comply.”

The action draws authority from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).

Key provisions invoked include:
• Section 17: Empowers the Commission to resolve complaints, issue directives, and enforce breaches.
• Section 18: Grants powers for compliance, including sealing premises to halt consumer harm.
• Section 124: Prohibits harassment or unfair tactics, such as withholding essential services causing hardship.
• Section 150: Allows compliance notices with escalation for non-response.
• Section 155: Criminalizes consumer rights infringements.

“The seal will remain in place until Ikeja Electric complies fully with the directives issued by both NERC and the FCCPC and provides written evidence of that compliance,” the statement emphasised.

FCCPC described the sealing as “a proportionate enforcement measure taken only after repeated engagement and several opportunities for voluntary compliance.”

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment, “Consumers are entitled to fair treatment and timely access to essential services. The Commission will continue to enforce the law to protect these rights and to ensure that service providers meet their obligations.”