Residents of Okpoko community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have dragged the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and 10 others before the Federal High Court in Awka over alleged prolonged blackout despite a directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordering their reconnection.
The defendants in the suit include EEDC, Engr. Onyebueke Nwokoroafor (Business Manager, Ogbaru), Mr. Emeka (Feeder Manager), Kingsley Chidebelu (Marketer), Uchendu Ifeoma, Okonkwo C.S., Omenyi C.U., Amadi Jude, Okafor Obianuju, Agu Eucharia, and Madu Elizabeth.
The plaintiffs, Chief Hon. Dominic Ezebuenyi, Mr. Remigius Muoka, Chief Alphonsus Ufomba, and Mr. Exe Fear God, filed the suit on behalf of themselves and residents of Onyebarachi, G-Muoka, Starlight Agulu, Nneogidi streets, and parts of Obodoukwu Road, representing 96 customers connected to the Akpirikpo 3 transformer feeder at Atani Water Works 11KV.
They are asking the court to award N10 million jointly and severally against the defendants as general and exemplary damages for alleged breach of duty and losses suffered by the residents, including financial hardship, health risks, insecurity, and a decline in their quality of life.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an order compelling the respondents to comply with the directive contained in the 2025 ruling of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission regarding the reconnection of their electricity supply.
In addition, they asked the court to issue an order directing the defendants to immediately reconnect electricity to the affected customers in Okpoko pending the determination of the substantive suit, marked FHC/Awka/CS/11/2026.
They further prayed the court for an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether jointly or severally, from tampering with or further disconnecting the electricity supply to the premises of the 96 customers represented in the suit until the matter is finally determined.
The plaintiffs also requested an order directing the respondents to comply with all court directives relating to the reconnection of electricity to their premises upon service of the court order.
In an affidavit, the first plaintiff, Chief Hon. Dominic Ezebuenyi, stated that residents had repeatedly protested what he described as outrageous and unreasonable estimated billing by the electricity company, which he said was far beyond the energy consumed.
He also alleged that the defendants damaged and removed their 16mm recline cables under the guise of disconnection, while ignoring complaints from the affected residents.
Ezebuenyi further accused the company of fraudulently overbilling the customers from 2020 to date and refusing to adjust the bills in line with the NERC ruling issued in 2025.
When the case came up for hearing on March 6, 2026, the court adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for further proceedings.
(Daily Champion)
