Published 17th Dec, 2021

By Daniel Ojukwu

Residents of Orile-Iganmu, Aguda and Coker areas of Lagos State have called for the intervention of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) after the Integrated Resources Ltd (IRL) defrauded them of some money for prepaid meters.

Prince Ogedengbe Adewale, the conflict resolution director of the areas, told FIJ that Joseph Segbawhan, IRL project director, collected monies from residents in 2020, but has refused to deliver meters one year after.

He said community leaders had urged residents to apply for prepaid meters through IRL in 2019. “Tellers were issued by IRL and payments were made, yet no meters,” said Adewale.

When the victims visited the EKEDC office in Ago Palace Way, Cele, they found it deserted. According to Adewale, the community members reached Segbawhan, but he told them he was untouchable as the Managing Director of IRL was a close friend of EKEDC’s CEO.

Olayiwola Sobowale, a marketer with EKEDC, told FIJ, “We have escalated the issue. I told them to send proof of payment, which they did, and we are looking into it”.

FIJ quizzed him on the legality of payments for prepaid meters which should be free, but he said they made the payments early last year, long before the new scheme.

Segbawhan did not answer calls FIJ made to his official numbers. He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.

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