…Demands N50 Million Compensation
BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
A Benin-based private firm has threatened to institute a legal action against Edo State-owned Ossiomo Power Company over alleged unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to its factory.
The establishment is demanding fifty million Naira as damages from the electricity firm for willful failure to supply electricity, an action it said amounted to breach of contract.
It however expressed disbelief over an alleged unprofessional manner Ossiomo Inspection Team operated when they visited the factory on April 10, 2024.
A petition written on behalf of the private firm by its lawyer G.C. Igbokue (SAN), dated 30th April 2024, addressed to the Managing Director, Ossiomo E. Technologies Limited, Ologbo 11KV. Dist. System, Sapele road, Benin City and made available to journalists stated:
“We are solicitors to E.I Obasuyi Investment Limited whose corporate Headquarters is at Obayantor, Benin City (hereinafter referred to as “our client”).
“We have our client’s instructions and directives to write to you as follows: that our client who is a recipient of your electricity supply from your power plant from Obayantor was informed by his Mill Manager that your Inspection Team visited the Mill factory.
“That on Inspection you were alleged to have observed that the motor of your meter was not running;
“That our supervisor informed you that the motor of our meter was not running because the factory was not operation;
“That to the consternation of our client you disconnected the factory without notice while alleging that our client by-Passed your meter;
“That on the 18th of April, 2024 our client got a telephone call from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG)’s office, Anti-Vice Department at Adesuwa Road, Benin City, that there is a petition against our client alleging illegal electricity connection. He was directed to report at the Police Station the next day at 10am.;
“That Our Client decided to go to the police station immediately because he had been making frantic efforts to reach your Management to lodge his complaint;
“That on getting to the AIG’s Office, the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), introduced him to one Engineer Solomon and a lady who is said to be a Secretary of your company;
“That our client informed Eng. Solomon about all the efforts he made to reach the Management of Ossiomo Power Plant without a response”, the petition stated.
On the allegation of meter bypass leveled against the private firm by conduct Ossiomo Inspection Team, the petition explained thus;
“That Our Client was informed by Eng. Solomon that your monitoring team that came for Inspection to our Mill reported that we bypassed the meter and stole point worth #2, 712, 800 plus penalty #8, 138, 400 totalling #10, 851, 200.00;
“That Our Client informed Eng. Solomon that we have not been served with any notice of his allegation and that when we are served we will respond appropriately;
“That on the 20th of April, 2024 our client received a demand Notice for the sum of #10, 851, 200.00 from your Assistant Company Secretary through a WhatsApp message;
“That on the 21/4/2024 our client send a WhatsApp message to the IPO that we were not involved in illegal connection/bypass;
“That the identity of who made the demand was not clear as there was no indication that it was from Ossiomo Tech Limited;
“That in January, 2022 Our Client contracted Ossiomo Tech Limited to supply Electricity to his factory and made installmental payment to Ossiomo Tech Limited as follows:- #10, 000, 000.00 in three installments through their agents Ed.Fra.end Nig. Limited, #4, 000, 000.00 Stanbic Bank A/c No. 0043133252 and through my Access Bank PLC A/c No. 0019012017.
“On the 25th January, 2022 Stanbic Bank A/c No. 0034133250 #4,000, 000.00 through Eddy Mill Account No. 2005.260344.
“On 14th April, 2023 Our Client made payment of #2,000,000.00 through Eddy Ogbejiele of IBTC Bank A/c No. 0023878056 through my Union Bank A/c. No. 0053341687 being the cost for concrete poles, cables, transformer and accessories including labour to draw electricity from Benin Owena River Basic Authority to Our Client’s factory.
“That inspite of this, from April, 2023 to January 2024 Our Client had no light in the factory despite the several complaints that was lodged Ossiomo Tech Limited.
“In February 2024, light/power was restored and it was only functional in the night and despite its inconvenience, we started working in the night.
“That on the 10th of April, the inspection team from Ossiomo visited our factory and observed that the meter was not running because our factory was not operational because power is only restored in the night.
“Our Client informed them that the meter and cables were not tampered with.
“Our Client stated that your claim that we ought to use a minimum of #1,000,000.00 worth of electricity monthly is incorrect because the Mill sometimes breaks down or there may be no fruits to mill.
“That our claim that your penalty is based on the period 22nd December, 2023 to 11/4/24 is incorrect as the period under review is 20/2/2024 – 11/4/24 which is barely 2 months.
“That since 10th April, 2024 we have been disconnected in spite of the fact that we have credit of #300,000.00 worth of Units in our meter”, it explained.
Expressing pains over the losses the factory incurred as a result of the disconnection, its lawyer further stated that;
“That within the period we have incurred huge losses. Our Client’s demand is the sum of #50, 000, 000.00 only for your breach of contract to supply it regular electricity.
“That by this letter Our Client gives you notice it wishes to be disconnected from your power grid and be reconnected to BEDC using the materials worth over #10, 000, 000.00 Our Client paid for.
“Our Client also demands the sum of #2, 995, 010.00 being the cost of diesel oil bought within the period in question because of insufficient electricity. TAKE NOTICE that if you fail or refused to meet Our Client’s demand within 14 clear days including the day you received this letter we shall be compelled to bring an action against you in competent court without further notice from this Chambers.
Attempts to obtain comments from authorities of Ossiomo Power Company were unsuccessful at press time. However, a response from the electricity company would be published whenever they are reached.
