The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has issued a strong warning against energy theft, urging customers to avoid tampering with meters and engaging in other illegal electricity-related practices.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ibadan, the Coordinating Head of Corporate Services at IBEDC, Angela Olanrewaju, emphasized that energy theft is a criminal offense punishable under Nigerian law.
She explained that offenders could face between three and five years in prison, or fines, for tampering with meters, bypassing them, or making unauthorized connections to power lines or grids.
“Energy theft includes meter bypassing, illegal connections, and vending without payment,” Olanrewaju said. “IBEDC is legally empowered to disconnect violators without prior notice. Offenders will also bear the cost of meter replacement, reconnection fees, and administrative penalties.”
Olanrewaju added that the company has implemented a multi-layered approach to combat energy theft, warning that tampering with meters not only poses safety risks like fire or electrocution but also undermines investment in power infrastructure and service improvements.
Since early 2024, IBEDC has partnered with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) to track, investigate, and prosecute cases of meter tampering, bypass, and illegal reconnection.
“We are deploying standard meter installations to make meters less accessible to tampering, and also using smart meters equipped with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to detect and report violations,” she said.
She further noted that IBEDC is committed to expanding prepaid metering across its network, using various national initiatives to achieve broader coverage.
These initiatives include the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), and the Rollout Scheme supported by DisCos and vendors.
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“Through the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme, customers can apply online via our official portal, receive meter IDs, make payment, and have meters installed within 10 working days,” she explained.
