The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the 11 power distribution companies have been restrained from hiking electricity tariffs.
Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Lagos State High Court, on Monday gave the interim ex parte order in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/881/2024 filed by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
NERC in April approved the hike in the electricity tariff from N66 to N225 per kilowatt (kW) for customers in Band, who are receiving 20 hours of electricity supply daily. The MAN urged the court to order the discos and the NERC to revert to the former electricity tariff.
Considering the application and the applicant’s submissions, Justice Allagoa, ordered the respondents to stop taking any further steps, including disconnecting power supply, pending the determination of the motion in the matter.
“That the order is without prejudice to the obligation of the plaintiff from paying their electricity bill at the old rate,” the judge said, adjourning the matter to Monday, June 24, for a hearing.
The first respondents in the suit are the discos which comprised the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC).
Other respondents included the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC).
Listed as the second respondent in the suit is the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).