Kogi State Government has intensified efforts to curb electricity theft with the deployment of a special court and a dedicated task force to prosecute offenders and protect power infrastructure across the state.
The Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Compliance at the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), Prof. Abdulkarim Ibrahim, disclosed this while outlining the Commission’s mandate to enforce strict compliance with electricity laws and regulations by all stakeholders in the power sector.
Prof. Ibrahim said KERC was established to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the electricity market, noting that its responsibilities include protecting consumers, safeguarding investor interests and enforcing standards among operators and service providers.
He explained that the legal backing for the Commission is the Kogi State Electricity Law 2024, enacted by the State House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
According to him, the law was crafted to address anticipated challenges arising from the state’s assumption of regulatory control over its electricity market.
The Commissioner revealed that KERC has introduced a Customer Protection Regulation aimed at preventing the exploitation of electricity users in what is largely a monopolistic market. He stressed that the regulation strikes a balance between protecting consumers and maintaining investor confidence.
Prof. Ibrahim said Sections 117 and 118 of the law provide for the establishment of a special court and a special task force to handle electricity-related offences.
He noted that the special court is dedicated solely to cases such as vandalism, meter bypass, and illegal connections, while the task force comprising security agencies including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is charged with protecting electricity infrastructure and ensuring compliance.
He added that several cases are already before the court, underscoring the seriousness of the state’s crackdown on electricity theft.
The Commissioner emphasized that compliance is a shared responsibility involving investors, operators, service providers, and consumers.
He also noted that KERC aligns its regulatory framework with national electricity policies through continuous collaboration with other state regulators to ensure best practices.
According to him, the establishment of KERC ranks among the most impactful decisions of the current administration, aimed at guaranteeing fairness, stability, and a sustainable electricity supply across Kogi State.
