A Federal High Court in Kano has intervened to stop the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) from enforcing the newly proposed electricity tariff for Band A consumers.
Presiding Judge Abdullahi Liman issued an interim order on Thursday, restraining NERC and KEDCO from proceeding with the tariff hike until a motion on notice filed before the court is heard and determined.
The court’s order goes further to prevent the defendants from intimidating or threatening to disconnect the electricity supply of the applicants who have expressed their non-acceptance of the increased tariff.
The legal action, identified as FHC/KN/CS/144/2024, was initiated by Super Sack Company Limited, BBY Sacks Limited, Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Limited (MAN).
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Abubakar Mahmoud, the legal counsel to the plaintiffs, presented the motion ex-parte.
The controversy arose from NERC’s approval on April 3 for an electricity tariff increase for customers categorized under Band A. These consumers, receiving 20 hours of electricity supply daily, were scheduled to start paying N225 per kilowatt (kW), marking a significant rise from the previous rate of N66.
However, the sudden tariff hike has faced widespread criticism, prompting the House of Representatives and various stakeholders to urge NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff pending further consultations and considerations.
