Lagos Residents, Traditional Ruler Condemn Alleged EKEDC Arbitrary Reclassification, Outrageous’ Bills

By NAN

Lagos, Jan. 25, 2026 (NAN) Residents of Ebute-Metta (West) in Lagos State, alongside the traditional ruler, Otumara community, Apapa Road, Ojo-Oniyun, Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, have raised concerns over outrageous estimated billing imposed by Excel Distribution Company, formerly Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Expressing dissatisfaction, Kalejaiye told newsmen on Sunday that his monthly charge allegedly increased from N300,000 to one million naira, with the distribution company threatening disconnection if payment was not made.

The residents also condemned the alleged reclassification of consumers from Band C to Band A without prior consultation or notice, describing the action as arbitrary and unacceptable.

The traditional ruler told newsmen that the entire community was originally on Band C, but his premises was placed on Band B on the basis that it operated a commercial meter.

“The electricity company has failed in the discharge of its responsibility. How can consumers be made to pay exorbitant bill served for electricity not consumed” he said.

“As a business owner, we know how difficult it is to operate in this country, and this is compounded by the outrageous billing system of Eko Disco. 

"My bill jumped from N300,000 to one million naira without any justification. My meter was reclassified without prior notice,” Kalejaiye said.

The traditional ruler accused the company of lacking transparency in its billing process and alleged that unmetered consumers were being exploited through arbitrary charges.

“They are serving bills as they deem fit. Many households and businesses in Ebute-Metta (West) are on Band B, but how do we explain the sudden increase from N300,000 to one million naira?” he queried.

Kalejaiye called on the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tunji Bello who is also a mainlander and relevant regulatory agencies to intervene.

He also urged the distribution company to ensure accountability and provide prepaid meters to consumers to curb what he described as a dangerous billing regime.

“I am calling on the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Council (LASERC), the Executive Vice-chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dr Tunji Bello.

"I am also appealing to the Lagos State Consumer Protection Commission and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to intervene and rescue residents of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area from this throat-cutting billing system," he said.

Kaleyaiye said the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu was yielding positive dividends and Nigerians were beginning to experience relieve from years of economic hardship.

He added that no electricity company must be allowed to spoil the good works of the President. 

According to him, We want strict adherence to the capping order. We want transparency and accountability in billing, whether consumers are metered or not, and regardless of band classification.

Another resident of Ibadan Street (West), Ajadi Yusuf, complained of what he described as double billing, which he said had plunged many residents into debt.

“How can you serve two bills on one meter?” he asked, describing the practice as strange and oppressive.

Yusuf said repeated applications for prepaid meters had yielded little success, with only a few residents benefiting. 

The resident also raised concerns about the alleged forced migration of households from Band C to Band A without explanation.

“What level of electricity consumption warranted such migration? We want a fair bargain. We want an end to huge monthly bills and a clear explanation for the way we are being treated,” he said.

Yusuf added that residents were frustrated by high bills despite erratic power supply.

“We are tired of outrageous bills amid epileptic electricity supply. We reject arbitrary billing by EKEDC. 

"We want an end to unlawful extortion. Our complaints have not received any positive response,” he said.

Efforts to obtain a response from EKEDC were unsuccessful, as calls to the company’s Public Relations Officer, were not answered at the time of filing this report.

 (NAN)