Ondo Sets Up Special Court, Procures 50,000 Smart Meters in Zero-Tolerance Crackdown on Power Theft

​Akure, Ondo State — The Ondo State Government has intensified its battle against energy fraud by officially inaugurating a dedicated Special Offences Court to fast-track the prosecution of individuals involved in electricity theft, meter bypassing, and vandalism across the state.

​The move, which signals a critical enforcement phase for the state’s robust power sector reforms, comes alongside the immediate procurement of 50,000 smart meters for mass distribution to residents.

​Mr. Johnson Alabi, the State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, made the disclosure in Akure on Monday, confirming that the new judicial platform began operations last week following its establishment by the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola.

​”The establishment of this special court is a decisive step that signals our zero-tolerance approach to electricity crime,” Commissioner Alabi stated. “It is specifically created to expedite cases relating to illegal connections, meter bypassing, vandalism, and all violations of the Ondo State Electric Power Sector Law.”

​Legal Framework and Stiff Penalties

​Ondo State has been a pioneer in Nigeria’s decentralized power sector, having enacted the first independent state power sector law in the country in 2020. This law, which paved the way for the state to assume full regulatory oversight of its electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), imposes stiff punitive measures.

​The Commissioner warned that those who violate the law would face immediate prosecution, emphasizing the criminal nature of the offence. The state’s legislation, which predates and has influenced similar federal measures, provides for heavy fines and imprisonment terms for convicted energy thieves.

​Smart Metering and Remote Monitoring

​Beyond judicial enforcement, the state government is taking proactive measures to eliminate the conditions that encourage theft and estimated billing.

​Commissioner Alabi revealed the immediate procurement of 50,000 smart meters ready for deployment. He stressed that smart metering and strict enforcement must be implemented simultaneously to ensure a reliable and equitable electricity distribution system.

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​”For this purpose, we have acquired 50,000 meters for immediate deployment and distribution,” he noted.

​A key feature of the new initiative is the remote monitoring capability of the acquired meters. The meters will be managed from the Ministry headquarters, allowing authorities to detect any tampering or illegal connections in real-time, making it significantly harder for criminals to bypass billing systems undetected.

​Government to Address Infrastructure Deficit

​Addressing a long-standing grievance, the Commissioner also tackled the contentious issue of local communities funding their own transformers and electric poles, describing the practice as an “aberration.”

​While recognizing that privatization has often compelled communities to take on this financial burden, he emphasized that it is not the ideal situation.

​”Ordinarily, it is not ideal for consumers to buy electric poles or transformers. It is not normal; it is an aberration,” Alabi asserted. He, however, reassured the public that the Ondo State Government continues to assist local communities with the procurement and installation of infrastructure as part of its obligation to the people.

​Residents were advised to desist from using their own funds for infrastructure and instead report their needs through formal channels to the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau (OSERB). Since assuming regulatory control, OSERB is now the primary body tasked with intervening and holding distribution companies accountable.

​”The electricity business has been privatized, so the power distribution company is supposed to handle these things. We continue to tell people: if you are in need, write to the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Bureau. They will intervene,” he concluded. The dual strategy of robust legal enforcement and infrastructural investment marks a renewed commitment by the state to stabilize and reform its power sector.