Power firm warns against paying individuals for meters

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company has urged its customers to avoid paying individuals and unauthorised agents for meter procurement and other services.

The company further stated that all payments should be made directly through the official and approved channels made available in the public domain.

This came following the arraignment of one Mufutau Bello, who was said to have defrauded a customer seeking to obtain meters.

Acting under the guise of being an EKEDC staff, Bello allegedly defrauded a customer within the Ojo Business District in Lagos to the tune of N760,375 for the purchase of seven prepaid meters.

According to a statement by the spokesman of EKEDC, Babatunde Lasaki, the suspect was apprehended by men of the Onireke police station and was arraigned on a three-count charge of impersonation, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing, all under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

Lasaki, who is the General Manager of Corporate Communications of the utility firm, described the matter as criminal and unfortunate during this period of economic challenges.

He advised customers to desist from seeking help from individuals and unauthorised agents to avoid being defrauded.

He said, “I would like to appeal to our customers to go through our official and approved channels to pay their bills and payment for meters. If there is any clarification they need from us, they can call our customer service lines, reach us through our social media platforms or physically visit any of our office locations. We are available to answer all their enquiries and assist with their needs.

“Also, there should not be any gratification of any form to our staff as we are all on the payroll of the company to serve and support them.”

Similarly, Lasaki disclosed that one Ifeanyi Enekwunchi was arraigned before the Honourable A. O. Akokhia’s Magistrate Court 1, Iba on a three-count charge of conspiracy to tamper with electric wires belonging to EKEDC, a conduct likely to cause breach of peace and willful and unlawful interference with electric wires by illegal reconnection after being disconnected due to nonpayment.

Lasaki also advised customers against illegal activities to avoid facing the full extent of the law, saying the EKEDC will not take any act of illegality or unwholesome activities lightly.

He added that customers should utilise all the available mechanisms to seek amicable solutions to their issues instead of resorting to self-help.