Benue Govt Official Accuses JED of Overbilling, Unlawful Disconnections, Demands Accountability

Isaac Uzaan alleges irregular billing, unpaid state taxes and breaches of electricity supply regulations by Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, as controversy over power supply in Benue State intensifies.

A fresh controversy has emerged over electricity supply in Benue State following a statement by the Principal Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Benue State on Media and Content Creation Isaac Uzaan, challenging Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) over electricity billing, infrastructure investment, tax remittances and the disconnection of public facilities.

In a statement titled "Setting the Record Straight Regarding Actions of JEDC in Benue," Uzaan disputed aspects of the electricity distribution company's position in its ongoing disagreement with the Benue State Government.

The statement raised questions about outstanding electricity bills, the classification of customers under Band A tariffs, alleged overbilling of government accounts, tax remittances and the disconnection of public facilities.

Uzaan also alleged that JED management deliberately ordered wider electricity disruptions across the state, claiming that a leaked WhatsApp conversation supported the allegation.

The claims have not been independently verified by NewsRena. The company's response to the specific allegations is also necessary to provide a complete account of the dispute.

Benue Government's Electricity Debt Put Below ₦300 Million

Uzaan claimed that, as of September 2026, the total outstanding electricity bill owed by the Benue State Government and its ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to JED was less than ₦300 million, covering bills outstanding over three months.

He described Benue as one of the least indebted state governments to electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

To support his argument, Uzaan alleged that a single private electricity customer in Makurdi owed JED more than ₦2 billion.

However, the statement did not provide documentary evidence establishing the comparative debt figures. Independent verification of the outstanding balances would help clarify the financial position of the parties.

Uzaan Questions JED's Infrastructure Investment and Band A Tariffs

Uzaan accused JED of failing to invest in electricity distribution infrastructure in Benue State while moving a significant number of customers to Band A tariffs.

He argued that electricity tariff classifications should correspond with the applicable regulatory requirements and the level of service delivered to consumers.

According to the statement, electricity consumers in Benue, including the state government, frequently bear the cost of purchasing distribution transformers and repairing electricity infrastructure themselves.

Uzaan described the arrangement as unfair and questioned the justification for the tariff classifications.

The statement did not include a detailed inventory of JED's infrastructure investments or feeder-level electricity supply records. Such documents would be necessary to independently assess the allegations.

Government House Meter-Tampering Allegation Disputed

The statement also challenged JED's reported allegation that electricity meters at the Benue State Government House had been bypassed.

Uzaan claimed that the meters were installed before the current administration and remained officially sealed, with seal numbers traceable to JED.

He further alleged that access to the meters and the generation of the codes required to reset them were controlled by the electricity distribution company.

According to Uzaan, following JED's communication in September 2026 alleging meter bypass, the state government requested records relating to previous inspections, staff access to the meters, requests for reset codes and the technical investigation into the alleged incident.

He claimed that three weeks had passed without JED providing the requested information.

The statement did not include copies of the correspondence or the technical records needed to independently establish the sequence of events.

Alleged Overbilling of Government Accounts

Uzaan further accused JED of transferring unaccounted energy losses to government electricity accounts, including both metered and unmetered facilities.

He claimed that a joint reconciliation of government accounts revealed billing discrepancies and that JED subsequently adjusted some metered bills after the state government presented audit findings.

According to the statement, the adjustments resulted in the recovery of hundreds of millions of naira through billing corrections.

Uzaan alleged that the company continued to issue estimated bills for some unmetered government facilities despite the disputed billing practices.

The statement did not provide the audit reports, billing records or adjustment documents needed to independently verify the amounts involved.

Uzaan Alleges Non-Remittance of PAYE Taxes

The statement also accused JED of failing to remit Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes deducted from the salaries of its employees in Benue State since the beginning of 2026.

Uzaan contrasted the allegation with his claim that the state government had continued to meet its electricity payment obligations.

The tax allegation could have significant financial and regulatory implications if substantiated. However, it requires confirmation from the relevant Benue State tax authority and examination of the company's tax records.

Dispute Over Band A Electricity Supply

Uzaan also questioned JED's compliance with electricity supply requirements for customers classified under Band A feeders.

He referred to the minimum daily electricity supply threshold applicable to Band A customers under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's (NERC) regulatory framework.

According to the statement, customers who do not receive the required level of supply should seek the appropriate tariff adjustment in accordance with applicable regulations.

Uzaan urged electricity consumers across Benue State to monitor their daily supply hours and pursue complaints where service falls below the relevant regulatory requirements.

Consumers should confirm the applicable service threshold and complaint procedures with NERC, as tariff adjustments depend on the regulations and circumstances governing the affected feeder and billing period.

Government Facilities Reportedly Disconnected Repeatedly

Uzaan further alleged that JED disconnected several government facilities, including the State Secretariat, Radio Benue and the Water Board, on three separate occasions over the preceding three months.

He claimed that the disconnections occurred without the 15 days' prior notice he said was required under NERC regulations.

The statement also alleged that the state government had settled outstanding electricity debts, including legacy obligations, amounting to more than ₦700 million.

Uzaan argued that the reported disconnections were unjustified in light of the government's alleged payments.

The payment claims, notices of disconnection and applicable regulatory provisions were not included in the statement supplied for this report.

Alleged WhatsApp Messages Raise Further Questions

One of the most serious allegations in the statement concerns an alleged WhatsApp conversation attributed to Matthew Agbata, identified by Uzaan as JED's manager in Benue State.

Uzaan claimed that the messages showed Agbata directing technical personnel to disconnect electricity across the state.

He further alleged that the manager was a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raising questions about possible political considerations in the company's operational decisions.

The statement said evidence of the alleged conversation had been attached.

However, NewsRena has not independently authenticated the messages or established their full context. The allegation that the manager directed a statewide disconnection, as well as the suggestion of political motivation, remains unverified.

JED and Agbata should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and clarify the circumstances surrounding the electricity disconnection.

Benue Government Threatens Legal and Regulatory Action

Uzaan said the state government had pursued administrative channels to resolve its disagreement with JED but would consider further action over the alleged billing practices, tax issues and electricity disruptions.

He stated that evidence was being compiled to support possible legal and regulatory proceedings.

He also criticised the decision to disconnect electricity supply to a wider population over the alleged actions of an individual or group, arguing that such a measure could threaten public safety, disrupt economic activities and undermine consumer confidence.

According to the statement, electricity had been restored in some parts of the state at the time it was issued.

Uzaan said the government would not tolerate what he described as economic sabotage, unfair exploitation of electricity consumers or attempts to damage the reputation of Governor Hyacinth Alia's administration.

Accountability and Consumer Protection

The dispute has raised broader questions about electricity distribution, tariff compliance, infrastructure investment, billing transparency and the responsibilities of distribution companies and government customers.

For consumers, the central issues include the reliability of electricity supply, the accuracy of bills, compliance with tariff rules and the availability of effective complaint mechanisms.

For the government and JED, resolving the dispute through verifiable records, regulatory oversight and transparent engagement would help establish the facts and reduce the risk of further disruption.

NewsRena will update this report if JED, the named manager or the relevant regulatory authorities provide substantive responses to the allegations.

Editorial note: The allegations in this report are attributed to Isaac Uzaan and have not been independently established by NewsRena. Documentary evidence and responses from the parties concerned are necessary to determine the accuracy of the claims.

Source: Statement by Isaac Uzaan, "Setting the Record Straight Regarding Actions of JEDC in Benue."