Falana to sue IKEDC, Magodo CDA for misrepresentation of client

The waging war between aggrieved Magodo residents and the
association for representing residents without their consent, in an
agreement with Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), to
force them into paying double tariff for what is called premium
power took a new turn as Femi Falana is set to sue IKEDC and MRA
for misrepresentation of its client.

The letter reads in part: “Our client is one of the prepaid
meters consumer residents of Magodo Estate, Lagos. Our client pays
electricity bills promptly and regularly without defaulting. Our
client drew our attention to the purported agreement to increase
electricity tariff in Magodo Estate, between Magodo Residents
Association (MRA) AND Ikeja electric currently making the news in
the media. Our client’s position is that he was never consulted by
the Magodo Residents Association (MRA) or any person or group for
any electricity tariff agreement whatsoever.

Neither did he instruct, discuss or commission the Magodo
Residents Association (MRA) or any person or group of persons to
enter into any electricity tariff agreement with Ikeja, on his
behalf. Our client: further maintains that electricity bill, being
a utility consumption is personal to him and if there is any
agreement on it, it should be between him being the consumer and
the electricity company directly and not through any third party of
whatever guise.”

Recall that The Ikeja Electric was accused by some residents of
allegedly increasing the tariff to an alarming rate without
providing adequate power supply to the area and due consultation
with residents of Magodo.

Residents in Magodo cried out on the sudden increase of tariff
from 22-50 by IKEDC, saying there was no stable power supply,
government regulation and any prior agreement by individual
residence to warrant that.

A resident of the estate Mr Ikpehare, who spoke with Vanguard
said “I went to recharge my card as usual on Sunday for 5,000 Naira
and I found the units I received was less than half of what I used
to have, I inquired and I was told IKEDC promised us 24hours light
hence they need to double tariff to make this possible. What
nonsense, if they can’t provide the services the government asked
IKEDC to provide they better sell off to someone else. I have
provided alternative power for my home and don’t need them to
provide 24 hours for me”, he stated.

In a swift reaction, however, The representative from IKEDC, Mr
Felix Ofulue, refuted the fraud allegations, insisting, “we made
consultations with Magodo residence association and an agreement
was reached before the price change increments where made. We are
currently supplying 24hours light to the estate in the last 1 week
without fail Nothing fraudulent about this. We intend to roll out
more estates on this new premium plan he said”

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!