…“We call on NERC to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that the community is not unfairly charged for electricity already paid,”
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has received a formal petition from the residents of Umuodum, Ogba Quarters in Mbaukwu town, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, who accuse the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of attempting to defraud them of a significant sum of money. The dispute centers on an electricity bill amounting to N38.1 million, which the community claims it has already paid, but which the electricity distribution company insists remains outstanding.
In a petition addressed to NERC and signed by Chukwuebuka Daniel, Nweke Odum, and Chukwuma Augustin Igboanugo, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the community accused EEDC of colluding with some former community leaders to demand payment for electricity that had already been settled. The residents argue that this demand represents an effort to misappropriate funds and create confusion within the community.
The petitioners provided their EEDC account details, listing the customer account number as 138994651 and the registered account name as ODUM S/S, with the address noted as Umuodum, Ogba, Mbaukwu. According to the petition, the electricity company disconnected power to the community, claiming that the outstanding electricity debt of N38.1 million remained unpaid. Following this disconnection, the community approached the former Chairman of the Umuodum Ogba Village Development Union to seek clarification, as the bill was allegedly handed to him to settle with EEDC on behalf of the community.
The petition details that the community was shocked to receive a formal letter from EEDC dated November 28, 2025, through the youth leader of Umuodum village, demanding payment of N38,123,672.73. “We are surprised to receive this demand letter through the youth leader, who is not an appropriate channel for official communication to the community,” the petition read. The residents further stated that EEDC was fully aware of the correct channels for such communications, noting that the current Caretaker Chairman of Umuodum Ogba Village Development Union, Izuchukwu Abana, had previously been provided with printouts of the community’s alleged outstanding payments.
The petitioners accused EEDC of acting in collusion with those who might have misappropriated funds previously collected for electricity payment. They argued that by sending the demand letter through the youth leader instead of the recognized caretaker chairman, the electricity company was attempting to provoke discord within the community while shielding itself and potential accomplices from scrutiny. “It is evident that EEDC knows the correct channels and chose to bypass them, raising suspicion of collusion with those who may have embezzled funds,” the petition emphasized.
Residents stressed that they cannot be compelled to pay twice for electricity that has already been settled. The petition mentions that under the leadership of Chief Johnbosco Okafor, the community had previously paid for electricity, and as such, the demand for a second payment is unjustifiable. “We, the people of Umuodum, cannot contribute money to pay for the same electricity bill a second time, especially when we have documentation showing that payments were made during Chief Okafor’s administration,” the petition states.
The petitioners urged NERC to take immediate action by summoning EEDC to provide documentation verifying whether the community’s electricity bill had indeed been paid. They requested that EEDC either present records to NERC’s panel in Awka showing proof of payment made under the name of Umuodum Village, Ogba, Mbaukwu, or submit a signed official statement declaring that Chief Okafor’s administration did not make any payment for the electricity bill, as claimed in the handover note to his successor. “We call on NERC to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensuring that the community is not unfairly charged for electricity already paid,” the petition concluded.
The petition has drawn attention to broader concerns about transparency and accountability in electricity billing and distribution in the state. The Umuodum community’s case highlights a recurring problem in several Nigerian communities where electricity companies allegedly fail to reconcile payments made by consumers, leading to multiple demands for the same charges. Residents argue that such practices create unnecessary tension and mistrust between electricity companies and communities, while also imposing financial burdens on consumers.
When contacted for comment, Emeka Ezeh, Head of Communication for EEDC, directed inquiries to Emeka Nwachukwu, Head of Communications for FirstPower Electricity Distribution Limited, noting that FirstPower is the distribution company currently responsible for electricity in Anambra State. This referral has raised questions regarding the clarity of responsibilities between EEDC and FirstPower, especially in areas where jurisdiction appears to have shifted due to operational or corporate changes.
The incident has sparked debates within the community about the role of past and present leadership in managing communal funds and ensuring that payments to service providers are properly recorded and accounted for. Community members expressed frustration that mismanagement or lack of oversight by former leaders could lead to ongoing disputes with utility providers, ultimately affecting residents’ access to electricity.
Local residents have also expressed concern over the potential social implications of the electricity disconnection, noting that prolonged lack of power supply affects homes, schools, and small businesses, disrupting daily life and economic activities. They argue that disconnection over disputed charges is counterproductive, as it punishes the entire community for what they perceive as administrative and accounting failures.
The petition underscores the need for regulatory bodies such as NERC to intervene in cases where utility companies may be acting inappropriately or colluding with individuals to misappropriate funds. The Umuodum community’s appeal calls for a fair and transparent investigation to establish the true status of their electricity payments and ensure that residents are not subjected to unfair treatment or double billing.
As the matter unfolds, attention will be on NERC’s response and the steps it takes to resolve the dispute, restore electricity supply to the community, and hold the electricity distribution company accountable. For the residents of Umuodum, the outcome will not only determine their access to power but also serve as a test of regulatory oversight and consumer protection in the state.
