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Court Imposes N1.8B Damages On Access Bank Over Unlawful Deductions, Fictitious Accounts

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2 years ago

October 28, 2024

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has awarded a damage sum N1.817,690,414. 65 billion against Access Bank Plc for unlawful deductions and opening of fictitious accounts.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered Access Bank Plc to pay the sum as damage to the plaintiffs in two separate suits numbered FHC/L/CS/1485/2015 and FHC/L/CS/1493/2015.

The plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1485/2015 were: MicCom Cables And Wires Limited; Chief Tunde Ponnle; and Commic Holdings Limited, joined in the suit pursuant to the order of Court made on February 16, 2018.

While the plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1493/2015 are ; Origin Energy Limited and Mr. Abiodun Ponnle.

However, Access Bank is the sole defendant in the two suits.

The bank on it’s part filed a counter-claim of the sum of N1,058,141,649.98 billion in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1493/2015, against Origin Energy Limited, Mr. Abiodun Ponnle, Chief Tunde Ponnle, MicCom Cables & Wires Ltd and Commic Holdings Ltd. But the counter-claim was dismissed by the court.

Plaintiffs in suit marked FHC/L/CS/1485/2015, in their second further amended statement of claim dated March 8, 2024 and filed on March 12, 2024, filed by their lawyer, Tokunbo Davis, asked the court for 27 reliefs against Access Bank Plc.

Parts of the reliefs sought for include; “a declaration that the balance reflected in the 1st Plaintiff’s statement of account as at 2nd September, 2015 is the true and accurate balance on the 1st Plaintiff’s account.

“A declaration that by virtue of the 1st Plaintiff’s statement of account, as at 2nd September, 2015, the 1st Plaintiff is not indebted to the defendant in the alleged sum of N452, 994,359.45 (Four Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Nine Hundred and Ninety four Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira Forty-Five Kobo Only) or any sum whatsoever.

“An order directing the defendant to immediately release unconditionally the title documents of the properties located at Plot 2018 Cotonou Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, 21 Odebunmi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3 Ponle Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3/5 Edun-Alaran Road, Ojokoro Agege and 1 Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos, and any other documents used as a security In the credit facility constituted in the offer letter dated 18th March, 2013, to the Plaintiffs.

“A declaration that the detention/retention of the 3rd Plaintiff’s title documents to the property known as 1, Ramar Crescent, Ogudu, G.R.A, Lagos, despite the fact that the 1st Plaintiff is not in anyway indebted to the Defendant, is inconsistent with the 3rd Plaintiff’s right over the said property and is wrongful.

“Damages in the sum of N500 million, for the unlawful refusal/ failure of the defendant to release to the 3rd Plaintiff the title documents to the property at 1, Ramat Crescent, Ogudu, G.R.A Lagos, from 18th November, 2014 till date.

“A declaration that the alleged debit balance on the 1st Plaintiff’s account no: 0004842444 maintained with the defendants is an aggregate of the imputation of excessive debits, unwholesome charges, compound interest, overcharges and all other illegal and unauthorized charges and interests imputed in the 1st Plaintiff’s Account contrary to the terms of Offer Letters dated 24th May, 2006, 20th September, 2006, 6th April, 2010, 24th December, 2010, and 18th March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration that the unilateral variation of interest applied by the Defendant through its officials without the formal consent and approval of the 1” Plaintiff is illegal and ought to be set aside.

“A declaration that all charges inconsistent with the Offer Letters dated 24th May, 2006, 20th September, 2006, 6th April, 2010, 24th December, 2010, and 18th March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration that the unauthorized, illegal, excessive and unsubstantiated charges, fees, interests, or deductions levied or charged to the accounts of the 1st Plaintiff by the Defendant amount to a fundamental breach and the 1st Plaintiff is entitled to treat same as repudiatory and to rescind from the credit facilities agreement constituted in the Offer Letters dated 24th May, 2006, 20th September, 2006, 6th April, 2010, 24th December, 2010, and 18th March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration that the defendant is not entitled to take any action and or exercise any rights whatsoever arising from any purported right contained in the Deed of Fixed and Floating Debenture, Deed of Mortgage Debenture and/or Tripartite Legal Mortgage in respect of the properties pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013 towards recovery of the alleged debt of N452, 994, 359. 45 million, or any debt allegedly owed by the Plaintiffs to it whether as primary or secondary debtors.

“A declaration that by virtue of CBN prudential guidelines, the Defendant is under an obligation to reconcile the account of the 1st Plaintiff with the 1st Plaintiff’s auditors and render full and proper account of how funds deposited into, credited to or otherwise due and accruing to the 1st Plaintiff has been managed and applied in respect of the account maintained by the 1st Plaintiff, failing which the defendant is bound by the audit conducted by the 1st Plaintiff.

“An order that the defendant should reverse, deduct or otherwise cancel all unauthorized, illegal, excessive and unsubstantiated charges, fees, interests, or deductions howsoever called which have been levied or charged to the accounts of the 1st Plaintiff’s.

“An order for the immediate refund of the sum of €317, 690, 415. 65 (Three Hundred and Seventeen Million Six Hundred and Ninety Thousand Four Hundred and Fifteen Naira Sixty-Five Kobo) representing unlawful excess and undue interests charges together with interest calculated thereon at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria MRR/MPR rates in tine with Section 3.3.5g of the CBN Monetary Credit Foreign Trade & Exchange Policy Circular No. 40 of January, 2014.

“Flowing from above, judgment in the sum of N317,690,415.65 million as already pleaded.”

“In the alternative to 13 and 14 above: an order for the immediate refund of the sum of N69, 614, 238.74 million, representing unlawful excess and undue interests charges together with interest calculated thereon as contained in the CBN Report.

“A declaration that the overdraft interest, commission on turnover, facility fee, management fee other fees, access online fee, balance on comm. + vat BA repayment & interest, loan repayment & interest, import charges are all illegal and excessive charges.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant either by itself, servants, agents or privies howsoever called from exercising any right whatsoever purportedly conferred by the Deed of Fixed and Floating Debenture, Deed of Mortgage Debenture and/or Tripartite Legal Mortgage in respect of the properties pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant either by itself, servants, agents or privies howsoever called from exercising any right whatsoever purportedly conferred under and by virtue of the Personal Guarantee of the 2nd Plaintiff pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013.

“An order of injunction restraining the defendant whether by itself, officers, servants, agents and or privies from selling, disposing of or otherwise exercising any right in respect of the properties known as: Plot 2018 Cotonou Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, 21 Odebunmi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3 Ponle Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3/5 Edun-Alaran Road, OjokoroAgege and 1 Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, its agents or privies howsoever called from harassing, disturbing or otherwise interfering howsoever with the proper running of the commercial operations of the 1st Plaintiff.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant whether by itself, agents, privies or whomsoever acting upon or at the instigation or directives of the Defendant from making or attempting to make representations and/or complaints concerning the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs account to third parties and/or imputing the financial statement of the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs or howsoever into the Credit Risk Management System of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant from howsoever causing the arrest and/or detention of any of the officers or directors of the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs on account of any alleged indebtedness arising from the credit facilities agreement constituted in the Offer Letters dated 17 May, 2007, 18th March, 2013.

“Damages in the sum of N1 billion resulting from the reputational injury and damage to business suffered by the 1st Plaintiff and loss of access to funds which would have yielded immense profits.

“Interest on all sums due above at the interest rate of 25% per annum from March, 2013 till date of judgment and thereafter at the rate of 10% per annum until final liquidation of same.

“An order that any Judgment sum awarded against the Defendant inclusive of interest thereon shall, within 3 days of delivery of the Judgment, be paid into the 1st Plaintiff’s account below: Account Name: MicCom Cables & Wires Ltd; Bank: Keystone Bank Limited
Account Number: 1006178177.

“Solicitors Cost of this action calculated at 15% of whatsoever monetary judgment this Honourable Court makes.”

Access Bank in it’s opposition to the suit had urged the court to dismiss the suit for being unsubstantiated and frivolous.

Delivering judgment on the suit on October 16, 2024, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, after reading through all the processes filed by the parties and submissions made by their lawyers ordered: “that a Declaration is made the alleged debit balance on the 1st Plaintiff’s account no: 0004842444 maintained with the Defendants is an aggregate of the imputation of excessive debits, unwholesome charges, compound interest, overcharges and all other illegal and unauthorised charges and interests imputed in the 1st Plaintiff’s Account contrary to the terms of Offer Letters dated 24 May, 2006, 20″ September, 2006, 6” April, 2010, 24″ December, 2010, and 18” March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration is made that the unilateral variation of interest applied by the Defendant through its officials without the formal consent and approval of the 1st Plaintiff is illegal and ought to be set aside.

“A declaration is made that all charges inconsistent with the Offer Letters dated 24th May, 2006, 20th September, 2006, 6th April, 2010, 24th December, 2010, and 18th March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration is made the unauthorized, illegal, excessive and unsubstantiated charges, fees, interests, or deductions levied or charged to the accounts of the 1st Plaintiff by the Defendant amount to a fundamental breach and the 1st Plaintiff is entitled to treat same as repudiatory and to rescind from the credit facilities agreement constituted in the Offer Letters dated 24th May, 2006, 20th September, 2006, 6th Apni, 2010, 24 December, 2010, and 18th March, 2013 are illegal, null and void.

“A declaration is made that the Defendant is not entitled to take any action and or exercise any rights whatsoever arising from any purported right contained in the Deed of Fixed and Floating Debenture, Deed of Mortgage Debenture and/or Tripartite Legal Mortgage in respect of the properties pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013 towards recovery of the alleged debt of N452,994,359.45 million, or any debt allegedly owed by the Plaintiffs to it whether as primary or secondary debtors.

“A declaration is made that by virtue of CBN prudential guidelines, the Defendant is under an obligation to reconcile the account of the 1st Plaintiff with the 1st Plaintiff’s auditors and render full and proper account of how funds deposited into, credited to or otherwise due and accruing to the 1st Plaintiff has been managed and applied in respect of the account maintained by the 1st Plaintiff, failing which the defendant is bound by the audit conducted by the 1st Plaintiff.

“An order is made that the Defendant should reverse, deduct or otherwise cancel all unauthorized, illegal, excessive and unsubstantiated charges, fees, interests, of deductions howsoever called which have been levied or charged to the accounts of the 1st Plaintiff’s.

“An order is granted for the immediate refund of the sum of N317, 690, 415.65 million, representing unlawful excess and undue interests charges together with interest calculated thereon at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria MRR/MPR rates in line with Section 3.3.5 of the CBN Monetary Credit Foreign Trade & Exchange Policy Circular No. 40 of January, 2014.

“Flowing from above, judgment in the sum of N317,690,415.65 million, as already pleaded is granted.

“A declaration is made that the overdraft interest, commission on turnover, facility fee, management fee other fees, access online fee, balance on comm. + vat BA repayment & interest, loan repayment & interest, import charges are all illegal and excessive charges.

“An order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant either by itself, servants, agents or privies howsoever called from exercising any right whatsoever purportedly conferred by the Deed of Fixed and Floating Debenture, Deed of Mortgage Debenture and/or Tripartite Legal Mortgage in respect of the properties pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013.

“An order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant either by itself, servants, agents or privies howsoever called from exercising any right whatsoever purportedly conferred under and by virtue of the Personal Guarantee of the 2nd Plaintiff pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 18th March, 2013.

“An order of injunction is granted restraining the Defendant whether by itself, officers, servants, agents and or privies from selling, disposing of or otherwise exercising any right in respect of the properties known as: Plot 2018 Cotonou Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, 21 Odebunmi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3 Ponle Street, Egbeda, Lagos, 3/5 Edun-Alaran Road, Ojokoro Agege and 1 Ramat Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos.

“An order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant, its agents or privies howsoever called from harassing, disturbing or otherwise interfering howsoever with the proper running of the commercial operations of the 1st Plaintiff.

“An order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant whether by itself, agents, privies or whomsoever acting upon or at the instigation or directives of the Defendant from making or attempting to make representations and/or complaints concerning the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs account to third parties and/or imputing the financial statement of the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs or howsoever into the Credit Risk Management System of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“An order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant from howsoever causing the arrest and/or detention of any of the officers or directors of the 1st and 2nd Plaintiffs on account of any alleged indebtedness arising from the credit facilities agreement constituted in the Offer Letters dated 17 May, 2007, 18th March, 2013.

“Damages in the sum of N1 billion, resulting from the reputational injury and damage to business suffered by the 1st Plaintiff and loss of access to funds which would have yielded immense profits is hereby granted.

“Interest on all sums due above at the interest rate of 25% per annum from March, 2013 till date of judgment and thereafter at the rate of 10% per annum until final liquidation of same is hereby granted.”

“An order that any Judgment sum awarded against the Defendant inclusive of interest thereon shall, within 3 days of delivery of the Judgment, be paid into the 1st Plaintiff’s account below: Account Name: MicCom Cables & Wires Ltd. Bank: Keystone Bank Limited. Account Number: 1006178177.

“Solicitors Cost of this action calculated at 15% of whatsoever monetary judgment this Honourable Court makes is hereby granted.”

In the same vein, Justice Lewis-Allagoa also made the following orders in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1493/2015; “that a Declaration is made that the 1st Plaintiff is not indebted to the Defendant in the alleged sum of N1,058,141,649.98 billion andor any sum whatsoever.

“That a declaration is made that having not met the conditions precedent for a drawdown on the facility in the offer letter dated 20th August, 2014, the defendant has no right to open, operate, generate or debit an account on behalf of the Plaintiff.

“That a declaration that the fictitious account of the 1st Plaintiff opened and operated by the defendant is fraudulent and illegal.

“That a declaration is made that the unauthorized and illegal account opened by the Defendant on behalf of the 1st Plaintiff amounts to a fundamental breach and the 1st Plaintiff its entitled to treat same as repudiatory and to rescind from the credit facility agreement constituted in the Offer Letter dated 20th August, 2014.

That a declaration is made that the action of the defendant in promptly collapsing the unreconciled purported indebtedness of the 1st Plaintiff into the fictitious and illegal account of the 2nd Plaintiff was accentuated by the desire for illicit profit and to avoid provision for it in its audited account.

“That an order directing the immediate closure of the illegal and fictitious account of the 1st Plaintiff opened and operated by the Defendant.

“That an order directing the defendant to forthwith unconditionally release to the Plaintiffs, all title documents of the properties used to secure the purported facility and or An Order discharging all security documents used as collateral for the purported facility.

“That an order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant either by itself, servants, agents or privies howsoever purportedly conferred under and by virtue of the Personal Guarantee of the 2nd Plaintiff pursuant to the Offer Letter dated 20th August, 2014.

“That an order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant its agents or privies howsoever called from harassing, disturbing or otherwise interfering howsoever with the proper running at the commercial operations of the 1st Plaintiff.

“That an order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendant whether by itself, agents, privies or whomsoever acting upon or at the instigation or directives of the Defendant from making or attempting to make representations and/or complaints concerning the 1st Plaintiff account to third parties and/or imputing the financial statement of the 1st Plaintiff or howsoever into the Credit Risk Management System of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“That an order of perpetual Injunction is granted restraining the defendant from howsoever causing the arrest and/or detention of any of the officers or directors of the 1st Plaintiff on account of any alleged indebtedness arising from the credit facility constituted in the Offer Letter dated 20th August, 2014. And General damages in the sum N500 million.”

Justice Lewis-Allagoa also ordered that the judgment sum awarded against the defendant (Access Bank), inclusive of interest thereon shall, within 3 days of delivery of the judgment, be paid into the 1st Plaintiff’s account details; Account Name: Origin Limited. Bank; Keystone Bank Limited. Account Number: 1006707643.”

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Tinubu Hails SEDC Boss Mark Okoye at 40, Praises Public Service Record

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2 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, commending his contributions to public service and leadership in national development.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy),Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the President celebrated Okoye’s milestone birthday and acknowledged what he described as an impressive record of service spanning more than a decade.

Before assuming leadership of the South-East Development Commission, Okoye held several strategic positions in Anambra State, including Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency. He also served as Special Adviser to the Governor before later becoming Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners.

The President used the occasion to recognise Okoye’s achievements in public office and his commitment to advancing development initiatives.

The statement read: “President Tinubu acknowledges Okoye’s dedication, resilience, and passion for service, and encourages him not to relent in his efforts to manage the South-East Development Commission and deliver on its mandate.”

The statement noted that the President views young leaders as critical to Nigeria’s future and expressed confidence in the capacity of the country’s emerging generation of public servants.

Tinubu also praised Okoye’s professional conduct throughout his years in government service.

“As a youth-centric leader, the President states that, with Okoye and many other innovative young people in his administration, the nation’s future remains promising.

“The President celebrates Okoye on this milestone and commends his 14-year unblemished record in public service.”
The President joined family members, friends and associates in celebrating the SEDC chief executive, offering prayers for his continued wellbeing and success.

“President Tinubu joins family, friends, and well-wishers in wishing Okoye a happy 40th birthday, good health, and renewed strength as he continues his service to the nation”, he added.

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Deputy Speaker Pushes for Home-Grown Defence Industry, Stronger Financial Crackdown on Insecurity

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4 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.mBenjamin Kalu, has called for a major shift in Nigeria’s security strategy, urging increased local production of military equipment and stronger financial controls to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks.

Speaking at the Nigeria People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 in Abuja on Saturday, Kalu said the country must reduce its dependence on imported weapons and invest more heavily in building a self-reliant defence manufacturing sector capable of supporting national security needs.

The conference, which focused on integrating private sector capacity into Nigeria’s security architecture, brought together stakeholders from government, business and the security community to discuss solutions to the country’s evolving security challenges.

He argued that expanding domestic arms production would not only strengthen national defence capabilities but also create jobs, stimulate industrial growth and reduce vulnerabilities associated with reliance on foreign suppliers.

The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the critical role of the financial sector in the fight against insecurity, calling on banks and other financial institutions to intensify due diligence measures and strengthen transaction monitoring systems to identify and block illicit financial flows that sustain criminal groups and terrorist organisations.

He emphasised that addressing insecurity requires coordinated action across multiple sectors and urged participants to move beyond discussions towards concrete commitments and measurable outcomes.

According to him, technology companies have a vital role to play by developing platforms that enhance intelligence gathering, information sharing and early warning systems. He also underscored the importance of civil society organisations in strengthening trust between communities and government institutions, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.

Kalu further assured stakeholders that the National Assembly will continue to support security reforms through legislative action, constitutional review processes, budgetary allocations and robust oversight of security-related programmes.

The Deputy Speaker maintained that despite the security challenges facing the country, Nigeria remains resilient and capable of overcoming its difficulties through stronger institutions, innovation and greater collaboration among public and private sector actors.

He said: “Every sector represented in this room must leave with a specific, measurable role in Nigeria’s security architecture. The defence industry must deepen local capacity so that we do not import what we can produce. The technology sector must offer platforms for intelligence sharing and community early warning. The financial sector must tighten the chokepoints through which criminal and terrorist financing flows. The civil society must continue to build the bridges between communities and government that make sustainable peace possible.

“And the legislature, we will continue to provide the legal scaffolding on which all of this is built. We will continue to review the constitution where it needs reviewing. We will appropriate resources where resources are needed. We will provide oversight to ensure that what is promised is delivered. We will legislate not for public applause but for the protection of lives and the dignity of every Nigerian.”

Kalu noted that the House recently voted 289 to 2 in favour of a safer Nigeria through the State Police constitutional amendment, describing the near-unanimity as patriotic rather than partisan.

“I am proud to serve in an assembly that just two days ago voted 289 to 2 in favour of a safer Nigeria. That near-unanimity was not partisan. It was patriotic. And it must be matched by an equal unity of purpose in this room today.

“There is a Nigeria on the other side of this season. That Nigeria is not a promise. It is a project. A project that belongs to all of us; both the legislature and the executive, the uniform and the suit, the community and the corporation, the government and the governed.

“We are a people worth fighting for. This republic is worth building. And let this moment be the moment we decide, formally and finally, to build it together”, he said.

The Deputy Speaker also dismissed the feelings in some quarters that Nigeria was failing.

“Nigeria is not failing. Nigeria is fighting. There is a difference. A failing country stops trying. Nigeria has never stopped trying. That is our heritage. That is our irreducible character. But resilience must be met by structure. Courage must be met by policy. The sacrifice of the Nigerian people deserves a security ecosystem worthy of the sacrifice”, he said.

The event drew participants from the defence industry, financial institutions, civil society, and security agencies.

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ECOWAS Parliament Convenes High-Level Dakar Summit to Drive Renewable Energy Push in Rural West Africa

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5 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

The ECOWAS Parliament is set to convene a major regional meeting in Dakar aimed at advancing renewable energy deployment and expanding electricity access to millions of people living in rural communities across West Africa.

The five-day Delocalised Joint Committee Meeting, scheduled for June 15 to 19, will bring together Members of Parliament, representatives of ECOWAS institutions, government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders, civil society organisations and energy experts to examine practical solutions for accelerating rural electrification throughout the region.

The meeting will be held under the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament”, will be organised by the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure under the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The gathering comes against the backdrop of persistent energy deficits across many rural communities in West Africa, where millions of residents still lack access to reliable electricity despite notable progress in recent years. Limited electricity access continues to affect key sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, digital connectivity and economic productivity.

With ECOWAS targeting universal access to sustainable and affordable energy by 2030, participants are expected to focus on the role of parliamentary action in advancing that objective and supporting policies that encourage investment and innovation in the energy sector.

Central to the discussions will be the potential of decentralised renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems and stand-alone solar installations, to close the electricity access gap in underserved areas.

Delegates will also assess how West Africa can better harness its vast but largely untapped solar and hydropower resources to meet growing energy demand.

The meeting will further review major regional energy frameworks, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP), the Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy and the Regional Electricity Market (REM).

Participants will also evaluate the contributions of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in strengthening regional energy integration.

One of the key features of the programme will be a field visit to a renewable energy installation in Senegal. During the visit, lawmakers will engage directly with beneficiary communities, local entrepreneurs, women and youth groups to gain first-hand insight into the impact of rural electrification on livelihoods, economic activity and community development.

At the end of the meeting, Members of Parliament are expected to adopt a set of recommendations aimed at reinforcing regional rural electrification initiatives, attracting greater investment into renewable energy infrastructure and strengthening parliamentary oversight of ECOWAS energy policies and programmes.

The outcomes of the Dakar meeting are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to bridge the energy access gap and support sustainable economic growth across the ECOWAS region.