News

Customer slams N50m suit on Ikeja Disco over alleged extortion, violation of rights

Published

2 months ago

May 2, 2026

A former National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Saliu Alao Lawal, has dragged Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) Plc to court, demanding ₦50 million in damages for alleged extortion and violation of his fundamental rights.

In the suit( No ID/ADR/370/2026) filed at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja Division, Lawal averred that he had visited the Oworo Undertaking Office of IKEDC in Gbagada to lodge a complaint after discovering that his prepaid meter was no longer vending, despite continued electricity consumption in his home.

Lawal averred that he expected the company to investigate the abnormality, rectify the issue, and appreciate his honesty in willingly reporting the matter. Instead, he said that his prepaid meter was allegedly immobilised and that the electricity supply to his residence was disconnected from the pole. He was then given three options: to wait for a new free prepaid meter, as a Band A customer, albeit for an unknown period of time, or to buy and install a prepaid meter himself, or to sign an undertaking to pay a minimum monthly charge of ₦250,000 and be connected directly to the pole.

He further averred that these conditions were allegedly presented to him after meetings with one Mabel Samuel, who led the team of technicians that disconnected his electricity supply, and Mrs Bolanle Williams, the Service Manager, whom he accused of treating him with disdain and contempt.

Lawal averred further that he chose not to react to what he described as the provocative conduct of IKEDC officials and subsequently paid the stipulated sum of ₦228,115:58 for a new 3-phase prepaid meter.

Surprisingly, when the meter was eventually supplied on January 31, 2026, the technicians who brought the meter allegedly demanded an additional ₦154,000 for the installation, which he also paid. Meanwhile, his old meter had been immobilised by the company.

Lawal stated that just 23 days after the installation of the new meter, he was unable to recharge the meter and was then reportedly confronted with the shocking information that the newly installed meter carried an outstanding debit of ₦1,944,604.14.

He stated that he found it difficult to understand how such a huge debt could have been incurred within only 23 days of installation on what was supposed to be a new prepaid meter, and having previously shown proof to Mrs Bolanle Williams that he was away in the United States.

Still seeking a peaceful resolution, Engr. Lawal reportedly approached Mrs Bolanle Williams, the Service Manager, for clarification and assistance. According to him, after waiting for about one and a half hours, Mrs. Williams declined to see him and instead instructed her receptionist, one Amaka, to redirect him to Mrs. Morenike Owonaiye, the Marketing Manager of the Oworo Undertaking.

He further alleged that Owonaiye dismissed his complaints in a very unprofessional and inhumane manner, but bluntly, rudely and arrogantly told him to pay the money or forfeit the supply of electricity to his home henceforth.

Lawal described the conduct of all the officials involved as exploitative, fraudulent, rude, arrogant, and criminal in nature, especially for a company entrusted with public service delivery.

Lawal said he carefully documented the entire sequence of events in a petition submitted to the Managing Director of Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission – LASERC, so that the matter could be properly reviewed and adequate redress and compensation granted by IKEDC to no avail, hence, he decided to seek redress in court.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

News

Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”