Agbarho: Aggrieved Residents Petitions NERC Over Alleged BEDC Unlawful Disconnection, Gives 48 Hours Ultimatum or…

Ogheneruona Tejiri, Agbarho (Delta State)

Some aggrieved residents in New Agric Phase Two Layout, Agbarho have petitioned the  National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) headquarter, Abuja and Delta state government to intervene by appealing  to them to call to order the Agbarho by reconnecting residents properties which were disconnected within 48 hours.

The petitioners described the  disconnection as an  unlawful action and wants the company to reconnect them within two days or they would seek redress for justice, fairness and equity.

The petitioners, Olorogun Ezekiel Okorode Esq.pnm and Mr. Cletus Opukeme who signed the petition for and on behalf of the affected aggrieved residents in New Agric Phase Two Layout, Agbarho town in Ughelli North LGA Delta state.

According to the petitioners, ”despite the ongoing petitions before BEDC Management and the NERC Asaba Forum concerning the unilateral, unjustified migration to Band A and the accompanying fraudulent estimated bills of ₦95,000 to ₦100,000 monthly imposed on mostly unmetered residents.

“What makes your conduct even more high-handed and indefensible is that upon receiving the outrageous estimated bill of ₦95,000, I still acted in good faith and made a substantial payment of ₦30,000. Yet, rather than acknowledge this demonstration of responsibility, you escalated your vendetta, choosing instead to target and disconnect multiple homes in the community without notice, contrary to all known NERC regulations”

The petition which also copied BEDC headquarter and Delta State Government reads below  in full:

MR EBUKA ANTHONY .
STATION MANAGER,
BEDC, AGBARHO .
PETITION: RE = YOUR UNLAWFUL DISCONNECTION, ABUSE OF POWER, AND WILLFUL DISREGARD OF PENDING PETITIONS BEFORE BEDC & NERC ASABA FORUM — DEMAND FOR RECONNECTION WITHIN 48 HOURS

Dear Sir,

I write in the strongest terms to condemn your vindictive, malicious and completely unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to several apartments in New Agric Layout, Agbarho, despite the ongoing petitions before BEDC Management and the NERC Asaba Forum concerning the unilateral, unjustified migration to Band A and the accompanying fraudulent estimated bills of ₦95,000 to ₦100,000 monthly imposed on mostly unmetered residents.

What makes your conduct even more high-handed and indefensible is that upon receiving the outrageous estimated bill of ₦95,000, I still acted in good faith and made a substantial payment of ₦30,000. Yet, rather than acknowledge this demonstration of responsibility, you escalated your vendetta, choosing instead to target and disconnect multiple homes in the community without notice, contrary to all known NERC regulations.

Your actions violate:

1. NERC’s Connection & Disconnection Regulations 2007, which strictly prohibit disconnection while a billing dispute or petition is pending.
2. NERC Customer Protection Regulations, which forbids disconnection of customers who have made part-payment on a disputed bill.
3. Established BEDC procedures requiring proper notice, due process, and respect for ongoing regulatory complaints.
4. The principle that unmetered customers must not be subjected to arbitrary tariff bands without meeting required conditions, including metering.

This reckless, punitive approach has caused economic losses, including the destruction of stored food, disruption of business activities, and significant domestic hardship for families, children, and the elderly. Your conduct has also heightened communal tension, as your actions appear targeted, personal, and deliberately confrontational.

Let it be stated clearly that you acted outside your lawful powers, and therefore you bear personal liability for the damages caused. Corporate cover does not protect an official who acts contrary to regulations and outside the scope of his lawful authority.

OUR DEMAND

You are hereby given 48 hours (2 days) to:

1. Reconnect all disconnected apartments in New Agric Layout;
2. Cease further harassment and illegal disconnections pending NERC’s determination of the petition;
3. Comply fully with NERC regulations governing complaint resolution, metering, and billing.

FAILURE TO COMPLY

Upon your failure or refusal to act within 48 hours, I will proceed to:

Institute legal action against you personally, as well as BEDC;

File a formal misconduct petition before NERC Abuja for disciplinary sanctions;

Seek damages for economic loss, destroyed food items, emotional distress, and regulatory breaches;

Escalate the matter to civil-rights bodies and the press.

Let this serve as your final notice.

Yours faithfully,
Olorogun Ezekiel Okorode Esq.pnm.
For Myself and on Behalf of Affected Residents of New Agric Layout
Agbarho, Delta State