Tag: IBEDC

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has cautioned electricity consumers to avoid unsafe practices such as illegal connections, socket overloading, and tampering with electrical installations, warning that such actions could lead to severe electrical accidents.

In a statement issued by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Francis Agoha, to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration, the company urged customers to prioritize safety in their electricity usage during and beyond the festive season.

Agoha emphasized that it is both illegal and dangerous to live, trade, or work near electricity installations. 

He also advised motorists to avoid driving under the influence or violating traffic laws, noting that such behaviors can lead to collisions with electric poles and infrastructure.

Extending warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah and all customers, IBEDC celebrated the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha, which symbolizes sacrifice, obedience, and love as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

The company further called on communities to remain vigilant and protect electrical infrastructure from vandalism, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring a safe and reliable power supply.

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He urged customers to report any suspicious activity around electrical installations and warned against engaging unqualified persons (quacks) to handle electrical faults or appliances.

He reaffirmed IBEDC’s commitment to delivering improved services and a better customer experience during the Eid celebrations and beyond.

“We understand the importance of stable electricity during the holidays. Our technical teams are on standby, and we have enhanced our rapid response mechanisms to address faults and complaints swiftly, our Customer Care lines will remain active throughout the holiday to attend to your needs.”

He said upgraded IBEDCPay App and other digital platforms will make it easier for customers to pay bills and request services.

United Bank for Africa has filed a motion at Federal High Court in Lagos to be joined in the suit on the purported sale of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

A company, 86 Gardens Limited, filed suit FHC/L/CS/418/2025 against the alleged buyers of the company.

Archlight Nigeria, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) practising under Synergy Attorneys, and  Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are the defendants.

The plaintiff, through its lawyer, Seni Adio (SAN), is seeking determination of the following, among others:

“Whether the first defendant breached the Share Sales Agreement (SSA) between it and the plaintiff on July 2024 by failing and otherwise refusing to transfer 50 per cent of the equity and shareholding in the first defendant to the plaintiff as provided in the SSA.

“Whether the second defendant breached the Tripartite Custody Agreement (Custody Agreement or CA”) among the plaintiff, first defendant and second defendant by failing and otherwise refusing to release the share transfer forms and other accompanying documents signed by the plaintiff and first defendant (collectively, the Security Documents to the plaintiff or alternatively, filing the Security Documents with CAC (that is the first defendant) in accordance with the partner’s agreement in the event that the first defendant emerged as the preferred bidder with respect to the first defendant’s bid to acquire 60 per cent of the ownership interest in IBEDC pursuant to the sale by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)…”

The plaintiff asked the court for the following orders:

“An order of specific performance directing and mandating the 2nd Defendant to register with the CAC (that is the third defendant) the Share Transfer Forms and other accompanying documents already signed by the plaintiff and first defendant transferring 50 per cent of the equity and shareholding in the first defendant to the Plaintiff as provided in the SSA

“An order directing the third defendant to accept from the first defendant and or second defendant the Share Transfer Forms and other accompanying documents already signed by the plaintiff and first defendant transferring 50 per cent of the equity and shareholding in the first defendant to the plaintiff as provided in the SSA. (1999) 9 NWLR (Pt 617) 116

“An order of general damages against the first defendant in the sum of N100 million.”

At the last hearing, Mr. Seni Adio (SAN) appeared for the plaintiff, Babatunde Kwame Ogala (SAN) appeared for the first defendant, Mr. Victor Okpara (SAN) appeared for the second defendant, while Temilolu Adamolekun, appeared for the party seeking to be joined – UBA.

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The plaintiff’s lawyer told the court that the third defendant had been served, but had not been appearing. Adding that they had been served with certain pleadings on May 9, 2025 by the 1st Defendant in reaction to the Origination Summons, also, they were served with a Notice of preliminary objection and motion on notice to discharge the interim order.

Adio then stated that on the part of the party seeking to be joined, they were at a loss as to the interest they sought to protect, as the issue of “preferred bidder” was long gone. He said his client intends to respond to the motion.

Ogala, counsel to the first defendant, told the court that they had a housekeeping application and had equally filed all processes in the suit. Learned SAN told the court that they were equally served with a motion for joinder by an intervener; one of the lenders to the original Mortgagor, which debt had been sold to AMCON.

The second defendant’s lawyer, Victor Okpara (SAN) told the court that they had filed a Conditional Appearance on the 15th May, 2025 and a Motion to regularise their process dated 15th May, 2025.

They had also filed a Counter Affidavit to the Originating summons and Counter Affidavit to the Interlocutory injunction. They confirmed receipt of the process filed by the intervener and intend to respond.

However, Temilolu Adamolekun, counsel to the party seeking to be joined, told the court that he had filed an application dated May 15, 2025, to join this suit to protect the interest of UBA

Responding to what the first defendant’s counsel said that ‘the party seeking to be joined had sold its interest to AMCON’, Adamolekun said it was one of the misconceptions they intend to correct, he said the party seeking to be joined had at no point sold its interest to AMCON.

On the issue of priority of applications, Adamolekun told the Court that he noticed that the parties mentioned several applications and had sought for a date to hear them, he said while the nature of the Applications was unknown to them, an Application for joinder takes priority over any other Application so that if need be, the party seeking to be joined can properly respond to all pending applications before the court after it has been joined.

Ogala stated that a Notice of Preliminary Objection takes priority over any other Application and therefore would be heard first.

Adamolekun responded that it was not in all situations that a Notice of preliminary objection would take priority, and just as he sought the permission of the court to cite an authority, the court his Lordship stated that he was minded to adjourn the case and that the issues would be addressed on the next adjourned date.

The learned counsel to the second defendant aligned with the position of the 1st defendant.

UBA in its motion seeking to the suit is pursuant to Order 9 Rule 24 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction

UBA is praying for an order to be joined as a defendant in this suit. And for such further order or order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

Some of the aveerments an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by one Afamefuna Ogbonna, a staff of UBA reads: “This suit was brought by the plaintiff/respondent against the defendants/respondents claiming entitlement to the 50 percent equity shareholding in the 1st defendant/respondent, already signed over to it, pursuant to the Custody Agreement, Share Sales Agreement, and the Share Transfer Forms together with the other accompanying documents (collectively, the “Security Documents”) and contingent only upon the 1st defendant/respondent emerging as a preferred bidder by AMCON with respect to AMCON’s sale of sixty (60) percent of the ownership interest in the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc. (“IBEDC”).

“The party seeking to be joined is one of the lenders of the loan facility of $162, 400,000.00 USD (one Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Integrated Energy Distribution Marketing Company Limited’s (IEDM’s), for the acquisition of the 60% shareholding interest in IBEDC by virtue of a Facility Agreement dated 16th of August, 2013.

“The interest of the party seeking to be joined is equivalent to a 21.54 per cent stake in IEDM’s 60 per cent interest in the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). Details of each bank’s financing and their respective percentage

“Prior to this time, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over the management of Polaris Bank, who was appointed the Facility Agent merely to administer the facility arrangement without more.

“Based on this, the lenders and particularly, the applicant, noticed that without any formal communication, AMCON by conduct, stepped into the shoes of the Facility Agent and started carrying on the administrative management of the facility.

“All of a sudden, AMCON unilaterally appointed a Receiver over Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited (IEDM) and appointed a nominee to that effect. And that upon noticing AMCON’s deviation from the provisions of the Facility Agreement, the Applicant caused its solicitors to write to the Receivers nominee, to express its dissatisfaction on how it was in the dark about the management of IEDM, a company in which it has a huge stake, especially in the 60 per cent stake in the IBEDC.

“AMCON has now purportedly sold the entire asset unilaterally, without limiting the sale to the interest of the Polaris Bank, even without consulting the other lenders, whose interests are secured and independent and more so, for a purported sum that is less than 20 per cent of the real value of the asset.

“The party seeking to be joined is completely against the purported sale as same was without its consent and not with the consent of any other lender and very well below the value of the asset.

“The party seeking to be joined is currently challenging the purported sale; a process which already began with the required statutory Pre-Action Notice. And that the 60 per cent ownership interest in the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, (“IBEDC”) is the bedrock/foundation of the Plaintiff’s claim for the 50 per cent of the equity and shareholding in the 1st defendant/respondent.

“If the applicant is not joined, the Court is likely to make a pronouncement or finding to validate the purported sale that was wrongly and illegally consummated. And that the interest of the party seeking to be joined would be affected by the decision of this Honourable Court, especially if it is not joined.

“The interest of the party seeking to be joined is so that the Court does not find or pronounce the first defendant as the preferred bidder and that to pronounce the 1st defendant as the successful bidder of the 60 per cent of IBEDC stake in this suit may lead to confusion or tend to validate an illegal sale as AMCON does not possess the powers to sell the assets the way and manner it purportedly did.

The interest of the Applicant is independent and cognisable.

“It is as expedient that the applicant is joined in this suit to enable the applicant properly present its case before this Honourable Court, and enable the Court to listen to all sides of the story and all the facts associated with the purported bid, which is the bedrock of the Plaintiff’s claim.

“The Applicant has sufficient interest in the issues to be canvassed in the suit to warrant it been joined as an interested party. The proposed counter affidavit to the originating summons evidencing the interest of the Applicant is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit D.

“The interest of the party seeking to be joined in this suit is limited to the Court’s determination of the issue of the success or otherwise of the 1st defendant’s bid; the validity or otherwise of the sale of the 60% ownership interest in Ibadan Disco, which interest touches on the rights of the Applicant.

“It would be practically impossible for this Honourable Court to determine the subject matter of the suit, being the Plaintiff’s entitlement to the 50% equity in the 1st defendant, without touching on or first deciding on the success or otherwise of the 1st defendant’s bid for the 60% stake in the IBEDC and the competing interests thereto.

“The Applicant will suffer hardship and Injustice if it is not joined in the litigation and it is in the interest of Justice to grant the instant Application.”

Meanwhile, Justice Musa Kakaki has adjourned further hearing of the suit to July 16, 2025.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed May 16 for a hearing in a suit by 86 Gardens Limited against Archlight Nigeria Limited and two others over its shares in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Limited (IBEDC).

Justice Musa Kakaki had granted an interim injunction restraining Archlight Nigeria or its agents from transferring to another party or a third party the 50 per cent equity shareholding already signed over to 86 Gardens.

Justice Kakaki made the order after Mr. Seni Adio (SAN) moved an ex-parte motion with accompanying processes on behalf of 86 Gardens in suit FHC/L/CS/418/2025.

The plaintiff prayed for an order of permanent injunction against the second defendant from releasing to the first defendant or anyone else other than the third defendant, the Share Transfer Forms together with the other accompanying documents signed by the plaintiff and first defendant concerning the sale by AMCON of the 60 per cent ownership interest in IBEDC.

The judge ruled that the interim order subsists pending the hearing determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

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The second and third defendants are A. J. Owonikoko (SAN) practising under the name and style of Synergy Attorneys, and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

After listening to Adio’s submissions, Justice Kakaki made an order of interim injunction prohibiting Archlight Nigeria, its agents, directors, officers, privies or nominees from transferring to another party or a third party the 50 per cent equity shareholding in the company, already signed over to 86 Gardens, as represented in the Custody Agreement, Share Sales Agreement, and the Share Transfer Forms together with the other accompanying documents.

In an originating summons, the plaintiff prayed for: “An order of specific performance mandating the first defendant to direct the second defendant to register with the CAC (that is, the third Defendant) the Share Transfer Forms and other accompanying documents already signed by the Plaintiff and first Defendant transferring 50 per cent of the equity and shareholding in the first Defendant to the plaintiff as provided in the SSA.

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has refuted the claims of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) Oyo chapter on the number of staff whose appointment were terminated recently. 

The Nation reports that the distribution company and the labour union in the state have been at loggerheads over the termination of the appointment of the staff.

While the NLC insisted that the over 3,000 staff disengaged by the distribution company be reabsorbed with an improved package, IBEDC said the affected workers were staff of an outsourcing firm, Premier International Procurements & Logistics Limited (PIPLL) only posted to work at IBEDC.

However, on Friday, the Distribution company issued a disclaimer to reiterate the number and status of staff disengaged while also condemning the repeated calls for picketing by the Labour Congress. 

The move follows a recent call by the Labour for picketing from March 10. 

According to the company, picketing causes significant disruptions and inconveniences to customers, negatively impacting ability to provide critical power and service.

The statement reads: “Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) once again wishes to address and correct the ongoing misinformation surrounding the alleged unlawful termination of 221 staff. 

“We would like to categorically state that the claim by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) (Oyo Branch) of sacking over 3,000 employees is completely false and misleading

“For clarity, the individuals involved were outsourced personnel of Premier International Procurements & Logistics Limited (PIPLL), a third-party human resource outsourcing firm, who seconded the staff to IBEDC. 

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“They were not employees of IBEDC, and as such, IBEDC is not responsible for their termination or any potential reinstatement.

“IBEDC strongly rejects any misleading narratives that unfairly attempt to associate IBEDC with this issue. These reports not only misrepresent the facts but also undermine public discourse, potentially misleading both the general public and key stakeholders. 

“We urge the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the media, and the public to take note that the affected individuals were never employees of IBEDC

“The official employer, PIPLL bears full responsibility for its employees and take the necessary actions to provide clarity and resolution to its staff. 

“Furthermore, IBEDC have expressly informed PIPLL that its continued business relationship with IBEDC is at serious risk due to its unprofessional handling of this matter.

“As a business, we also strongly condemn the repeated calls for picketing, which cause significant disruptions and inconveniences to our customers, negatively impacting our ability to provide critical power services jessential service) that are vital for driving economic growth.

“Finally, we aware that PIPLL has begun engaging all relevant parties namely, the disengaged PIPLL personnel, Ministry of Labour and the NLC

“IBEDC remains dedicated to upholding ethical labor practices, corporate responsibility, and excellence in service. Our primary focus continues to be the delivery of reliable electricity services to our valued custommers

“We sincerely appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders information and maintain the high-quality service that our customers expect work tirelessly to provide accurate.”

University of Ibadan Medical Students studying at the University College Hospital (UCH) on Thursday staged a protest against the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for disconnecting their halls of residence.

The students, carrying placards, shut down the entrance gate of the hospital, causing heavy traffic around the area, and insisted that the protest would continue until their hostel was reconnected.

Placards carried by the students bore inscriptions such as “Enough is enough,” “IBEDC give us light,” “The present development is unacceptable,” “We have been in darkness for the past 105 days,” and “For how long are we going to continue in this situation?”

Others read: “The government is making things difficult for us,” “We are studying in darkness, and the public will expect something from us,” and “After paying so much in tuition fees, we are still being subjected to hardship. This is a denial of studentship rights,” among others.

The Nation reports that the distribution company restored power to the facility on Wednesday following a tripartite meeting between the management of IBEDC and UCH, facilitated by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

The IBEDC agreed to restore power to UCH within 24 to 48 hours after the meeting, a promise fulfilled when power was restored to the clinical areas of the facility on Wednesday evening. However, only the clinical area received power, leaving residential and commercial areas without electricity.

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The development sparked the protest by students, who were displeased with the disconnection of power from their halls of residence, despite paying tuition fees, and regarded the action as a denial of their studentship rights.

Speaking at the protest, the President of the University of Ibadan Student Union, Comrade Aweda Bolaji, expressed discontent, noting that the Minister had promised to restore power to the entire UCH.

He stated that the students had warned both the hospital management and IBEDC that they would shut down the hospital if the halls of residence remained without electricity.

He said: “We are here to protest the deliberate disconnection of light of our halls of residence from the electricity that was restored to UCH yesterday (Wednesday).

“When the Minister came here on Monday, he made a promise that power will be restored to UCH, the whole of UCH in 24 to 48 hours. We were surprised to hear that we had been disconnected and we warned them that if there is light in UCH and no light in our hostels, we will shut down UCH itself.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) evening, the light was restored to UCH and we currently do not have light. There is light in almost every part of UCH except our hostels. That will not happen, we are here until they restore our electricity. We will be here until they restore electricity and if they don’t restore it, in the next month, we will continue to be here.”

He said the students have only shut the door against other people from entering the UCH but have been allowing emergency cases to have access.

“We have been passing emergency vehicles and allowing them to go in, we are gentle people and will not take laws into our hands.”

Also speaking, the Vice President of UI Medical Students Association, Meliat Adegoke said it was unfortunate that the students who took to the street in protest to ensure light was restored to the UCH are now the ones who were cut off from enjoying it.

She said: “It is rather sad that the students that staged a protest before the light is restored to the UCH, We were the ones who stormed the street, and screaming and shouting that they should give us light are the ones who don’t have it.

“UCH light was restored yesterday (Wednesday) and our halls of residence don’t have it, yet we were the ones who protested the darkness in the streets. It is unjust, it is unfair.

“We are students, we are fighting for basic rights and basic amenities, we don’t have light we don’t have water, we are struggling and it is not fair for people to see us like this and not do anything about our case. It is not right.

“We want the government to give us light. That is what we are asking for. We are paying school fees and all other fees. If we don’t pay, we can’t have our exams. We will be here to speak against this injustice and we will be here until they restore light to our hostels.”

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Victor Olojede urged the federal government to consider the students and ensure they have light in their hostels.

“For us as Oyo state government, we understand the plight of students and we feel it is their right to protest when their rights are been trampled upon it is so sad that the Minister of Power came to the UCH some days back and assured the student that light will be restored in the UCH and student environment within the UCH, but we discovered that the light came as promised but that the student hostels were disconnected from having electricity.

“So, what we want to appeal is that FG should intervene in this matter and resolve it on time. If it were to be an Oyo State issue, the state government would have resolved this amicably and electricity would have restored electricity.

When contacted, the management of IBEDC said it has fulfilled its part of the agreement by reconnecting the clinical part of UCH within 48 hours, as promised.

It added that it was awaiting further directives from the management of UCH regarding the reconnection of other sections.

A message signed by the Managing Director, Francis Agoha reads in part: “Following the successful intervention of the Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and the agreements reached by both parties regarding the UCH disconnection issue, IBEDC has reconnected the clinical services section of UCH within the agreed 48-hour timeframe.

“We are now awaiting further directives from the management of UCH regarding the reconnection of other sections.”