BREAKING: Lagos Agency Bans Power Companies from Recovering Electricity Debts Older Than One Year

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The Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting electricity consumers by declaring that electricity distribution licensees in Lagos cannot recover unpaid electricity charges that are more than 12 months old.

The commission announced this in a consumer awareness notice shared on its official social media platforms as part of efforts to educate residents about their rights under the state’s electricity regulatory framework.

According to LASERC, electricity providers are not permitted to demand payment for bills that date back beyond one year. This means that any attempt by a distribution company to charge a customer for electricity consumed more than 12 months earlier is not supported by law, and affected consumers are entitled to challenge such demands.

However, the commission clarified that the rule does not apply in cases involving meter tampering, illegal electricity connections, or situations where a consumer deliberately prevents meter readings. In these instances, electricity companies may still recover charges that extend beyond the 12-month limit.

The directive is expected to provide relief for millions of electricity users in Lagos who have frequently complained about excessive back-billing by distribution companies. Such back-bills often cover long periods of estimated or unrecorded electricity consumption, leaving customers with unexpectedly high bills.

Many consumers have also reported facing threats of disconnection over these disputed charges, often without being aware of their legal rights. Through its awareness campaign, LASERC aims to empower consumers with the knowledge needed to challenge unlawful billing practices.

The commission emphasized that electricity consumers in Lagos have legal avenues for redress. As the regulator overseeing electricity distribution within the state, LASERC is responsible for ensuring that both electricity providers and consumers comply with established regulations.

Consumers who receive bills covering charges older than one year—and who have not engaged in meter tampering, illegal electricity use, or obstruction of meter reading—have the right to dispute such bills and report the matter to LASERC for investigation and resolution.

The commission encouraged consumers to use its official communication channels, including its social media platforms, to file complaints and seek guidance on electricity-related disputes.

Consumer rights advocates and energy experts have welcomed the directive, describing it as an important step toward promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in electricity distribution across Lagos State.

With Lagos operating its own electricity regulatory system independent of the national framework, LASERC is seen as being well-positioned to establish strong consumer protection standards that could serve as a model for other states.