Customer Sues AEDC For N50 million Over Billing Errors

A consumer has sued Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) alleging incorrect billing practices, seeking N50 million in general damages.

In an originating summons filed with Justice Nicodemus Auwalu of High Court II in Lokoja, the customer, Ugochukwu Orakwue, a resident of Kogi, filed the lawsuit. Orakwue claimed that the AEDC had purposefully and inaccurately billed him for electricity, failing to read his Postpaid Meter and relying instead on inflated estimated bills.

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The plaintiff insisted that his postpaid meter reading should be reflected on his electricity bills, and he petitioned the court to get an order prohibiting the AEDC from continuing to give him invoices based on estimation

Furthermore, Orakwue sought a declaration that the AEDC’s practice of issuing bills based on estimation rather than meter readings violated the regulations set forth by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), deeming such actions illegal, null, and void.

During the recent court hearing, the AEDC’s counsel, Mr. G.D. Dubai, informed the court that discussions had commenced with the claimant to explore an out-of-court settlement.

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Dubai conveyed that most of the issues raised had been forwarded to the management at the AEDC’s headquarters in Abuja for consideration.

The court, acknowledging the ongoing discussions, adjourned the case to February 22 for a report on the progress of the settlement or potential continuation of the hearing