Residents of Ore-Ofe Quarters along Oda Road, Akure, Ondo State, have secured a major legal victory against the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) after years of being denied electricity supply.
The community’s transformer had broken down, prompting residents to mobilize and secure a replacement through the federal government. Although the new transformer was installed, BEDC allegedly refused to energize it, insisting on monetary payments despite repeated appeals from the residents.
In 2021 Human Rights Lawyer Barr. Kariakitei Kokowei, a resident of the affected community, took BEDC to court, arguing that the company had a statutory duty to energize the transformer and that its refusal amounted to an abuse of monopoly power. Kokowei prosecuted the case alongside Barr. Seigha Akin Egbuwabi and Barr. Nimilatei Wealth Isaiah as part of his legal team, while P. A. Akhasokhe, Esq. appeared as defense counsel for BEDC. The matter dragged through turbulent legal processes for years before judgment was finally delivered.
In a landmark ruling in 2025, the High Court of Justice, Akure, presided over by Hon. Justice O. M. Adejumo, held in favour of Kokowei and the community, awarding #5 million in punitive damages and #2 million in general damages against BEDC.
Following the court’s decision, BEDC energized the transformer, restoring electricity to the long-deprived community.
Reacting to the victory, Barr. Kokowei said: “This judgment is not just for Ore-Ofe Quarters, but for every Nigerian community deprived of their rights by service providers. It is a reminder that no institution is above the law, and that justice will always stand on the side of the people.”
Over the years, Kokowei has established himself as a committed advocate for human rights, a fearless believer in the cause of justice, and a lawyer with a track record of landslide victories for individuals, corporations, and communities. His relentless pursuit of fairness has earned him recognition as one of the bold voices ensuring that ordinary citizens are not silenced by institutional oppression.
Residents have hailed the judgment as a milestone in the struggle for accountability, reinforcing the obligation of electricity distribution companies to deliver essential public services without extortion or undue delay.
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