Ebonyi CSOs threaten legal action against EEDC over alleged overbilling, disconnections

A coalition of civil society organizations in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, has announced its intention to pursue legal action against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). The groups allege a pattern of illegal billing practices, indiscriminate disconnections, and other irregularities that have negatively impacted electricity consumers in the state.

The coalition, led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC) Ebonyi State Chapter, includes organizations such as the Human Rights Action Group, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), and Good Living Initiative (GLI). The group's leader, Prof. Joseph Agbo, stated that consumers have suffered years of overbilling and arbitrary disconnections. He explained that the decision to seek judicial intervention follows the failure of numerous petitions and mediation efforts submitted to the EEDC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice.

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We have decided to seek redress in the court of law because we believe the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.

"We have decided to seek redress in the court of law because we believe the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man," Agbo said. He accused the EEDC of estimated overbilling, disconnecting customers without proper notice, allegedly inserting unlawful arrears into prepaid meters, and employing arbitrary tariff practices. The coalition also raised concerns about some EEDC staff collecting payments via POS terminals under questionable circumstances and denying consumers access to account statements for bill verification.

Responding to the allegations, Head of Communications for EEDL (a subsidiary of EEDC), Ezeagu, stated that the company is committed to service excellence and operates within NERC's regulatory framework. She acknowledged awareness of the allegations and advised that grievances should be channeled through formal customer service platforms for investigation and resolution. Ezeagu added that EEDL has conducted bill reconciliation exercises, leading to adjustments and offsets for customers.

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Any grievances regarding billing should be channelled through our formal customer service platforms for immediate investigation and resolution.