The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has stated that electricity consumers who bypass their prepaid meters will face fines of up to ₦300,000.
This measure aims to curb electricity theft and ensure fair billing.
This was stated in an amended Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and Bypass released on Tuesday. The fines range from ₦100,000 to ₦300,000, depending on the consumer category.
Maximum demand customers caught engaging in energy theft will be fined 450% to 600% of their last recorded energy consumption.
The Amended Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and Bypass replaces Order No: NERC/REG/41/2017 and took effect on January 22, 2025, according to NERC.
NERC stated that the amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations 2023, which empower distribution companies to disconnect unauthorized connections without notice and set conditions for reconnection.
“Customers who bypass meters or gain unauthorised access must pay administrative charges (including meter replacement costs) and reconnection,” the order stated.
The regulator emphasized that any customer who gains unauthorized access to electricity through tampering or bypassing a meter will only be reconnected after paying the administrative charges, including the cost of meter replacement.
For non-maximum demand single-phase residential customers, the first offence attracts N100,000 and the subsequent offence attracts N150,000.
Also, non-maximum demand three-phase will pay a fine of N200,000 for the first offence and N300,000 for subsequent ones.
Similarly, maximum demand customers will pay 450% of their last recorded consumption for a first offense and 600% for subsequent offenses.
Recall, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company raised concerns over the increasing cases of energy theft.
Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kingsley Okotie, expressed concern over the increase in energy theft, especially after the implementation of the revised tariff on Band A feeders.
“The theft is massive and the company cannot guarantee meeting customer expectations if this ugly trend continues. Ironically, some perpetrators believe that if they haven’t been caught, there are no consequences. This is false, and we must change the narrative,” he said.
