Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) sealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IE) for continued violation of consumer right
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday, December 11, 2025, sealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric (IE) over what it described as persistent violations of consumer rights and a refusal to obey regulatory directives issued by both the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the FCCPC.
The enforcement action follows Ikeja Electric’s failure to implement a binding NERC decision requiring the company to unbundle a Maximum Demand (MD) account into 20 separate non-MD accounts — one for each of 19 residential units and one service point owned by a complainant. The directive also required IE to meter and properly connect each unit as individual customers.
Despite the clear regulatory order, Ikeja Electric did not comply. As a result, the complainant has been without electricity for more than two and a half years, despite paying every requested charge and fulfilling all obligations. The prolonged blackout has rendered the 19 residential units unusable.
According to the FCCPC, the Commission had repeatedly engaged Ikeja Electric on the matter. The company was formally notified of the complaint and the outstanding NERC directive. In April 2025, the FCCPC issued a detailed compliance instruction outlining the steps and timelines required. When no action was taken, the Commission followed up with a Compliance Notice on October 2, 2025, giving IE seven business days to comply. The directive was again ignored.
The Commission said today’s action is grounded in several provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA):
- Section 17 outlines the FCCPC’s mandate to resolve complaints, issue directives, and enforce compliance.
- Section 18 empowers the Commission to take enforcement measures — including sealing premises — when consumer harm persists.
- Section 124 prohibits unfair tactics, harassment, or conduct that causes avoidable hardship, which includes unjustly withholding essential services.
- Section 150 authorises the issuance of Compliance Notices and escalation when an undertaking refuses to comply.
- Section 155 makes the infringement of consumer rights a punishable offence.
The FCCPC stated that Ikeja Electric’s prolonged refusal to obey a lawful regulatory order — and the continued denial of electricity to 19 homes — clearly meets the threshold for intervention.
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The Commission added that sealing the headquarters is a measured step taken only after multiple engagements and repeated opportunities for voluntary compliance. The facility will remain sealed until Ikeja Electric fully complies with NERC’s directive and the FCCPC’s notices and provides written proof of completion.
The FCCPC emphasised that consumers have a right to fair treatment and uninterrupted access to essential services. It pledged to continue enforcing the law to ensure service providers uphold their obligations.
