In Lagos Court stops increment in electricity tariff

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) not to effect its proposed increment in electricity tariff.

He gave the order on Thursday, May 28, following an ex parte application filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi.

NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, had disclosed that at a recent press conference in Abuja the plan by the commission to implement an upward review of electricity tariff payable by Nigerians.

Adebiyi however appeared in court on Thursday with an ex parte motion asking the court to stop the increment, saying it will bring more hardship on Nigerians.

The proposed increment was billed to commence from June 1, 2015,

After hearing the application, Justice Idris ordered that the status quo remains pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The judge adjourned further hearing till June 11, 2015.

According to the main suit, the plaintiff is seeking an order restraining the NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without a meaningful and significant improvement in power supply to at least 18 hours in a day in most Nigerian communities.