Eko Electricity appeals N1 million damages judgment by Lagos Court

THE Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has appealed the judgement of an Igbosere High Court, sitting in Lagos, which awarded N1 Million damages against the company in the case filed by one Sunday Babalola.

General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, in a statement made available to SlyNews on Sunday said the appeal was on the premise that the judgement was inconsistent with industry regulations.

Idemudia insisted that EKEDC has the right to demand for outstanding payments before reconnection in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)`s Connection and Disconnection Procedure for Electricity Services, 2007.

Earlier on August 6, 2020, an Igbosere High Court, awarded N1 million damages against the electricity company for disconnecting a consumer over unpaid bill by former occupant of the building.

Justice Ibidun Harrison described as “unlawful” EKEDC’s refusal to connect the customer to electricity for unpaid bill consumed by a former occupant of the building.

The claimant, had through an originating summons, sued EKEDC for refusal to connect his building to electricity over an outstanding bill by a former occupant of the building.

However, Idemudia said “the claimant on purchase of the property situated at 7B, Brown Road, in July 2019, failed to carry out due diligence on the existing outstanding bill on the property.

He said that the new occupant should have made sure that the previous owner settled all outstanding electricity bills before the conclusion of the sale transaction.

He explained: “When Babalola approached EKEDC for reconnection to our infrastructure, we told him that “there is an outstanding bill left unpaid by the previous owner of the property before he secretly sold the property to the claimant without any recourse or notice to us,”

Idemudia said that the company had  always carried out its operation within regulatory framework and industry guideline, adding that it was therefore confident that the judgement would be overturned at the appellate court.

He however, reassured its customers that EKEDC is deeply committed to improved service delivery.

THE Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has appealed the judgement of an Igbosere High Court, sitting in Lagos, which awarded N1 Million damages against the company in the case filed by one Sunday Babalola.

General Manager, Corporate Communications, EKEDC, Mr Godwin Idemudia, in a statement made available to SlyNews on Sunday said the appeal was on the premise that the judgement was inconsistent with industry regulations.

Idemudia insisted that EKEDC has the right to demand for outstanding payments before reconnection in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)`s Connection and Disconnection Procedure for Electricity Services, 2007.

Earlier on August 6, 2020, an Igbosere High Court, awarded N1 million damages against the electricity company for disconnecting a consumer over unpaid bill by former occupant of the building.

Justice Ibidun Harrison described as “unlawful” EKEDC’s refusal to connect the customer to electricity for unpaid bill consumed by a former occupant of the building.

The claimant, had through an originating summons, sued EKEDC for refusal to connect his building to electricity over an outstanding bill by a former occupant of the building.

However, Idemudia said “the claimant on purchase of the property situated at 7B, Brown Road, in July 2019, failed to carry out due diligence on the existing outstanding bill on the property.

He said that the new occupant should have made sure that the previous owner settled all outstanding electricity bills before the conclusion of the sale transaction.

He explained: “When Babalola approached EKEDC for reconnection to our infrastructure, we told him that “there is an outstanding bill left unpaid by the previous owner of the property before he secretly sold the property to the claimant without any recourse or notice to us,”

Idemudia said that the company had  always carried out its operation within regulatory framework and industry guideline, adding that it was therefore confident that the judgement would be overturned at the appellate court.

He however, reassured its customers that EKEDC is deeply committed to improved service delivery.