Former EEDC Employee Arrested for Meter Tampering in Onitsha

Lawrence Okeke, a former Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) employee, has been apprehended for allegedly tampering with prepaid meters, leading to significant revenue losses for the company.

Lawrence Okeke, originally from Adogba Village in Awgu local government area, Enugu State, was dismissed from EEDC in December 2020 due to gross misconduct. He was arrested in Onitsha following a thorough investigation by EEDC’s Meter Monitoring Team, prompted by a whistleblower’s report.

Emeka Ezeh, head of corporate communications at EEDC, revealed that the team discovered instances where original meter sensors were replaced with counterfeit ones at various locations. This modification resulted in meters underreporting electricity consumption, adversely affecting EEDC’s revenue streams.

“The breakthrough came when our team, acting on a whistleblower’s tip-off, inspected a customer’s premises on Bida Road, Onitsha. There, they found evidence of meter bypassing and identified Lawrence Okeke as the culprit,” Ezeh explained.

Okeke is accused of not only tampering with meters but also engaging in activities that compromise the reliability of EEDC’s services. He has been handed over to the Central Police Station in Onitsha, where he is cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“This arrest marks a significant milestone in our efforts to combat meter bypass and energy theft within our network,” Ezeh emphasized. He cautioned customers against participating in such illegal activities, urging vigilance in identifying genuine EEDC staff.

Ezeh further urged the public to utilize EEDC’s whistleblowing platforms to report suspected cases of meter tampering and assured anonymity for informants. He emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of its services and protecting the interests of its customers.