EKEDC Prosecutes Six Lagos Residents Over Alleged Electricity Theft and Conspiracy
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has filed charges against six Lagos residents for alleged electricity theft and conspiracy, marking a significant legal action to curb infrastructure losses in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
The defendants—Abiodun Aremu, 40; Okwori Joseph, 40; Ebi Veronica, 28; Vanella Macaulay, 25; Loritta Etim, 27; and Oyindamola Adekunle, 31—were arraigned before Magistrate T.M. Kassim Adeyelure at the Eti-Osa Magisterial District Court. The charges stem from a raid conducted on February 7, 2024, at a residence on Mayowa Hassan Street in the Marshy-Hill Estate, Ajah, Lagos State. According to EKEDC, the individuals were found to have bypassed the company’s official metering system, an act that directly diverts power without payment.
The suspects face a two-count charge sheet. The first count alleges conspiracy to commit a felony—specifically, the appropriation of electrical power—in violation of Sections 411 and 412 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (2015). The second count charges them with fraudulently abstracting and diverting electricity supplied by EKEDC for personal use, an offense punishable under Section 295(1) of the same legislation.
Prosecutors emphasized that such illegal connections result in substantial financial losses for distribution companies and create serious operational hazards. Unauthorized diversions overload transformers, degrade voltage quality for paying customers, and increase the risk of fire or system collapse. The case highlights the persistent challenge of electricity theft in Nigeria, where distribution companies frequently cite revenue erosion as a barrier to infrastructure upgrades and reliable service delivery.
In a statement following the arraignment, Babatunde Lasaki, EKEDC’s General Manager of Corporate Communications, underscored the broader impact of the alleged crime. “When people abstract power illegally, they overload our transformers and compromise the voltage quality for those who are paying diligently. This legal action is necessary not just to recover revenue but to protect the integrity of our infrastructure,” Lasaki said.
The prosecution’s case reflects a growing trend among Nigerian distribution companies to pursue legal remedies against energy theft. Beyond financial recovery, such actions aim to deter future violations and reinforce the rule of law in the power sector. The defendants are expected to enter pleas at a subsequent hearing, with potential penalties under Lagos State law including fines and imprisonment.
The arraignment comes amid nationwide efforts to improve electricity distribution and reduce aggregate losses, which industry regulators estimate can exceed 30% in some regions. For EKEDC, securing convictions would support its operational stability and signal a tougher stance on infrastructure protection in the Ajah area and beyond. The matter has been adjourned for a later date as the judicial process continues.
