The group further accused EKO-DISCO of deploying police operatives to harass, arrest, and detain consumers unable to pay these disputed bills.

The people of Ajegunle community in Lagos state under the umbrella of Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM) have condemned in strongest terms, what they described as the “fraudulent electricity billing methodology” employed by EKO Electricity Distribution Company (EKO-DISCO) in the Ajegunle-Apapa area of the state.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, APM decried the recent introduction of “undefined multiple bills” and the continued issuance of “outrageous estimated charges” to residents, many of whom receive electricity for less than 15 days per month under a “one day on, one day off” load shedding arrangement. 

The group further accused EKO-DISCO of deploying police operatives to harass, arrest, and detain consumers unable to pay these disputed bills.

“This is nothing short of criminal,” the statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Prince Ade and the Secretary, Comrade Babatunde read. 

“These exploitative practices have continued despite the community’s strong rejection and resistance, expressed through a series of organised protests and formal petition letters to EKO-DISCO management.”

The group added, “As if that is not enough, most communities under load shedding are forced to endure a “one day on, one day off” power supply and segregated to the lowest ‘Band E’, are still being outrageously billed, without any regard for the fact that they receive less than 15 days of electricity supply in a month.”

APM cited multiple sanctions by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) against EKO-DISCO and other electricity distribution companies over consumer exploitation.

They alleged that instead of issuing transparent refunds as directed, EKO-DISCO launched a “deceptive” credit scheme while continuing to generate new unexplained charges not tied to any customer accounts.

“Even the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has recognised these abuses, issuing several sanctions against EKO-DISCO and other Discos nationwide for the systemic overbilling of consumers,” the group stated.

“The repeated sanctions issued by NERC are based on clear, empirical evidence of deliberate exploitation of electricity consumers. 

“These penalties should have compelled EKO-DISCO to compensate or refund all affected customers, amounting to trillions of naira looted from the working class and poor masses over the years,” the statement added.

They lamented that the “fraudulent overbilling” has devastated many small businesses and forced residents to live without power for years, “simply because they cannot afford the unjustified charges.” 

“This is worsened by an additional illegal billing line introduced in August last year, which is not tied to any specific customer account.”

They noted, “Instead of complying in a transparent and honest manner, EKO-DISCO has introduced a deceptive credit refund scheme, while at the same time unleashing new, vague, and unexplained multiple bills.

“This dishonest approach is clearly designed to mislead NERC and deceive the public into thinking genuine refunds are being made in response to regulatory sanctions.

“Despite NERC’s public reports and press releases confirming these exploitative practices and sanctions, EKO-DISCO’s profiteering continues unchecked.” 

Calling for immediate action, APM urged NERC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LSERC), and the Lagos State House of Assembly to launch a full investigation and ensure full refunds to affected consumers.

“Communities under EKO-DISCO’s jurisdiction have staged numerous protests and filed petitions, growing increasingly frustrated with the company’s profit-first, anti-people agenda,” the statement read.

“In response, the Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM) is calling on all electricity consumers, civil society organisations, and labour unions to mobilise and organise a day of mass action to resist this blatant exploitation.”

APM also demand that the NERC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LSERC) and the Lagos State House of Assembly conduct a full investigation, impose sanctions, and compel EKO-DISCO to refund every money “fraudulently taken from consumers.” 

“The fraudulent, undefined multiple bills must be immediately withdrawn and the fraudulent overbilling, backed by the militarised intimidation of poor and working-class electricity consumers, must end,” the group said.

They stressed, “Access to electricity is a right, not a privilege. The working masses cannot continue to pay for electricity they do not consume, while living under constant threats from police and EKO-DISCO agents. 

“We collectively say no to Undefined Multiple Bills and Outrageous Estimated Charges.

“We demand justice, transparency, and the immediate nationalisation of the power sector under democratic workers’ control.”