Court Orders Eko Disco to Restore Power to Protea Hotel Lagos After Alleged Unlawful Disconnection

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to immediately restore power supply to Protea Hotel by Marriott, located in the upscale Kuramo Waters area of Victoria Island, following what the court described as an alleged unlawful disconnection.

The directive came after an ex-parte application filed by Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN) on behalf of Princely Court Limited, the franchisee managing the hotel.

According to the affidavit sworn by the hotel’s operations manager, Sotayo Olasubomi Oluwabukunolami, the hotel’s power supply was abruptly disconnected by EKEDC around 11:00 a.m. on June 5, 2025, without due notice or an established legal basis.

Princely Court Limited argued that the disconnection caused significant disruption to the hotel’s operations, inconvenienced guests, and threatened the safety and comfort of patrons and staff.

Presiding over the case, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled in favor of the applicant and issued an interim injunction compelling Eko Disco to:
• Restore electricity supply to the Protea Hotel immediately.
• Cease any further disconnection or interference with the electricity services pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
• Refrain from tampering with the installed electricity meter or engaging in conduct that could disrupt service at the hotel.
• Comply fully with the court’s instructions once formally served with the court order.

Justice Aneke emphasized the urgency of the matter, given the hotel’s role in public accommodation and hospitality, and ruled that the injunction was necessary to prevent irreparable harm and ensure continuity of essential services.

The matter has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice—a more comprehensive legal review where EKEDC and other defendants, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), are expected to formally respond.

Until then, the interim order remains binding and enforceable, with failure to comply potentially attracting legal consequences for contempt of court.

The case has generated attention across Nigeria’s hospitality and business sectors, particularly as it raises questions about the procedures followed by power distribution companies when disconnecting commercial clients.

Legal analysts suggest this ruling could set a critical precedent for how power utilities handle service interruptions for hotels, hospitals, and other essential service providers.

It also underscores the courts’ willingness to intervene in cases where regulatory agencies or providers are accused of acting outside procedural boundaries.

Representatives of EKEDC and NERC had not issued any public statements at the time of filing this report.

• The Federal High Court has ordered Eko Disco to reconnect electricity to Protea Hotel after an abrupt disconnection.
• The court emphasized the protection of commercial operations and due process.
• A full hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 25.