A Federal High Court in Kano has granted an order halting the implementation of the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers, as approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The court’s decision followed a suit filed 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.
The presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, ruled on an ex-parte motion presented by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the plaintiffs, instructing NERC and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) to refrain from enforcing the increased tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court.
Additionally, the court order prohibits NERC and KEDCO from pressuring or threatening to disconnect electricity supply to the applicants for refusing to accept the new tariff.
In April, NERC announced a significant rise in electricity rates for Band A consumers, with customers in this category—receiving 20 hours of electricity daily—expected to pay N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N66 per kilowatt-hour, effective from April 3.
This sudden tariff hike has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the House of Representatives and other stakeholders, who have called on NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff pending further consultations and considerations.
The court’s intervention marks a pivotal development in the ongoing debate surrounding the electricity tariff adjustments and its impact on consumers and businesses in Nigeria.
