By Chisaa Okoye (Business Reporter)
A Federal High Court, Lagos Division, has granted a human rights activist and politician, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, a leave to commence legal proceedings for an order of mandamus, compelling Ikeja Electric Plc to supply him a detailed information on compliance regarding the supply of minimum 20 hours of uninterrupted power to Band “A” category. Under Band A, electricity customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours per day.
According to the 14 paragraphs affidavit in support of the motion, deposed to by a legal officer from NBA Ikeja, Omolasho Titilayo, in April, 2024 last year, Ikeja Electric Plc categorized customers into bands, such as Bands “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” in Nigeria with attendant high tariffs. The deponet stated that the electricity distribution company (Disco) commenced implementation of the Bands particularly Bands “A” with immediate effect.
It was averred that Falana was categorized among Band “A” customers with financial implication of 225/kwh which was later reduced to 206.80/kwh on 6 May, 2024.
The deponet noted that since Ikeja Electric Plc commenced implementation of the Band “A” along uninterrupted 20 hours light supply it undertook for the purpose of categorizing the Applicant, it has never supplied the same.
Furthermore, the deponet stated that, the Applicant applied to Ikeja Electric with a letter dated May 24, 2024, for information on compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to supply 20 hours light to Band “A” category but the Respondent Ikeja Electric “has since “has since failed or refused/neglected to supply such detailed information requested for by the Applicant”.
The Disco, the deponet, added, had not given any reason whatsoever for the refusal till date.