A Federal High Court in Kano State has issued a directive halting the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, from implementing the newly proposed electricity tariff for Band A consumers.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, May 3, through an ex parte motion, was presided over by Judge Abdullahi Liman.
The interim order prohibits NERC and KEDCO from proceeding with the planned tariff adjustments until the court has heard and resolved the pending motion on notice.
Furthermore, the order prohibits the defendants from engaging in any actions of intimidation or threats aimed at disconnecting the electricity supply of the applicants due to their refusal to accept the increased tariff.
The lawsuit, identified as FHC/KN/CS/144/2024, was filed by Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited.
Additionally, the plaintiffs in the case include Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Limited, MAN.
The ex parte motion was presented by Abubakar Mahmoud, the legal representative for the plaintiffs.
On April 3, the NERC sanctioned an escalation in electricity tariffs for customers categorized under Band A.
According to the commission’s announcement, customers falling within this classification, who receive a daily electricity supply of 20 hours, would see their tariff rise to N225 per kilowatt, kW, from the previous N66, effective April 3.
This abrupt tariff adjustment has faced criticism from the House of Representatives and various stakeholders, who have urged NERC to halt the implementation of the new tariff.
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