Key Points

• FCCPC unseals Ikeja Electric headquarters after a compliance undertaking.

• Ikeja Electric commits to resolving all consumer complaints within set timelines.

• FCCPC warns of tougher sanctions if the power firm breaches the agreement.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has unsealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric Plc after the electricity distributor agreed to comply with regulatory directives and address consumer rights violations.

The commission lifted the seal following a binding undertaking by Ikeja Electric to undergo a remedial process and resolve all outstanding consumer complaints referred by the FCCPC within agreed timelines.

Why FCCPC sealed the headquarters

The FCCPC had sealed Ikeja Electric’s headquarters on Dec. 11 after the company failed to comply with a directive issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

NERC had ordered Ikeja Electric to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 separate accounts for a customer who reportedly remained without electricity supply for more than two and a half years.

The company’s failure to act triggered enforcement action by the consumer protection agency.

Conditions for reopening

In a statement issued Friday, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu confirmed that the unsealing followed Ikeja Electric’s formal commitment to corrective action.

Under the undertaking, Ikeja Electric agreed to resolve all consumer complaints escalated by the FCCPC.

The commission warned that any breach of the agreement would result in renewed and stronger enforcement under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.

FCCPC explains its intervention

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the action aligned with the commission’s mandate under the FCCPA 2018 to protect consumers and enforce regulatory accountability.

He explained that enforcement measures aim to secure compliance, not punishment, and that the commission responds appropriately when service providers make credible commitments.

According to Bello, the outcome reflects a balanced regulatory approach that combines firm enforcement with de-escalation once compliance is achieved.

Warning to service providers

The FCCPC stressed that it remains open to constructive engagement with service providers.

However, it made clear that it will act decisively wherever consumer harm persists or regulatory directives are ignored.

Bello added that while enforcement levels may change based on compliance, the commission’s duty to protect consumers remains constant.