An Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Sanmi Onifade, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to restrain the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) from implementing the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024, which categorizes electricity consumers into Bands A to E.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/492/2024, was filed by Onifade on behalf of himself and other consumers. He contests the new tariff increase announced by NERC, which raises the electricity tariff for Band A customers from N66/kWh to N225/kWh, for those enjoying 20-hour electricity supply daily.
In his affidavit, Onifade argues that the classification of customers into bands and the preferential treatment of Band A residents, who receive 20-hour power supply, amounts to discrimination against other Nigerians. He states that himself and other customers in Bands B, C, D, and E are being denied their fundamental right to freedom from discrimination.
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The lawyer, through his counsel Moses Awuru Esq, seeks a declaration from the court that the classification policy is unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null, and void. He also requests an order restraining NERC and AEDC from implementing the tariff order and increasing electricity prices, as well as the classification of customers into bands.
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The case highlights the ongoing debate over electricity tariffs and the need for fair and equitable distribution of electricity supply among all consumers.
