The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has issued an interim order stopping the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) from implementing a new increased electricity tariff for Band A consumers in the DisCo’s franchise area.
NERC had recently mandated electricity distribution companies to charge Band A consumers 200 percent higher tariffs.
With the new tariff, customers under the category, who are expected to receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt, starting from April 3 — up from N66.
However, many Nigerians criticised NERC for migrating to Band A most consumers still suffering unstable electricity supply.
However, Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, on Thursday, granted the interim order in response to an ex-parte motion brought by A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, on behalf of Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited.
Other litigants in the case were: Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Limited (MAN), all as Applicants.
The ruling restrained NERC and KEDCO from implementing the tariff increase, which was scheduled to take effect this month, pending a hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Additionally, the order prohibited the defendants from intimidating or threatening to disconnect the Applicants’ electricity supply for non-acceptance of the new tariff.
The House of Representatives had called on NERC, on Tuesday, to suspend the implementation of the planned new electricity tariff nationwide.
This followed a Motion by Kama Nkemkanma, Member representing Ivo/Ohaozara/Onicha Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, raising concerns over the “sudden hike in electricity prices in Nigeria.”
Following the adoption of the Motion, the House ordered NERC to suspend the operation of the new tariff. It also resolved to set up a special committee comprising its Committees on Power, Commerce, Delegated Legislation, and National Planning to organise a well-structured hearing on the regulation of the National Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).