The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced that electricity consumers will face fines of no less than N100,000 for bypassing prepaid meters or engaging in illegal connections.
This was stated in an amended order on unauthorised access, meter tampering, and bypass, released on Tuesday. The fines, ranging between N100,000 and N300,000, depend on the customer category.
For maximum demand customers, penalties will be between 450% and 600% of their last recorded energy consumption if caught stealing electricity. The amended order replaces Order No: NERC/REG/41/2017 and took effect on January 22, 2025.
NERC stated that the amendment aligns with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations 2023, granting distribution companies (DisCos) the authority to disconnect unauthorised connections without notice and enforce reconnection conditions.
The directive aims to curb electricity theft, meter tampering, and illegal access while ensuring clear reconnection guidelines. Customers caught bypassing meters or accessing electricity illegally must pay administrative charges, including meter replacement costs, before reconnection.
For non-maximum demand single-phase residential customers, the first offence attracts a N100,000 fine, increasing to N150,000 for subsequent offences. Non-maximum demand three-phase customers will pay N200,000 for the first violation and N300,000 for repeat offences.
Similarly, maximum demand customers will be fined 450% of their last recorded consumption for a first offence and 600% for repeat violations.
Recently, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company raised concerns over the rise in energy theft. The DisCo warned that offenders would be prosecuted in court, signaling an end to merely imposing revenue loss penalties.
Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kingsley Okotie, described the situation as alarming, stating that energy theft hinders service delivery and disrupts the power sector.
“Many perpetrators believe that if they haven’t been caught, there are no consequences. This is false, and we must change the narrative,” Okotie said.
Similarly, Eko Disco spokesperson Babatunde Lasaki identified energy theft—including meter bypassing, illegal connections, and tampering with electrical infrastructure—as a major challenge affecting Nigeria’s power sector.
The Acting CEO of EKEDC, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, urged customers to support the fight against energy theft, emphasizing that such illegal activities cost billions annually and limit investment in infrastructure improvements.
“Energy theft is a menace that we must eliminate. It affects network expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and our ability to provide stable power supply,” Momoh stated.
