Abuja, March 15, 2016 (NAN) The Down Trodden Peoples Employment Foundation Worldwide (an NGO), on Tuesday sued the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) before a Federal High Court, Abuja over the new electricity tariff.
The NGO filed the case through its lawyer, Mr Hassan Omolowo.
Omolowo asked the court to declare as illegal the introduction of electricity tariff in Feb. 2016, across the country as it contravened the provision of electric power sector reform act, 2005.
He also prayed the court to declare as unlawful for NERC to introduce such policy without installing meters in the premises of all Nigerians and the commensurate power supply.
The lawyer further urged the court to declare that the electricity distribution companies could not take over the electricity facilities such as transformers, electric poles and cables without giving adequate compensation to the affected communities.
He asked the court to make an order directing the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to pay the sum of N2.7 million as damage to Tudun Wada and Sauka Kauta communities in the FCT.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Counsel to AEDC, Miss Onyiyechi Nwagbara, told the court that the company had just been served with the process and had filed a memorandum of appearance.
Nwagbara urged the court to give it time to study the process and respond appropriately.
Justice Binta Nyako, in her short ruling directed the plaintiff to serve other parties in the suit with process.
Also named as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Power and the AEDC.
Nyako adjourned the case until April 21 for hearing.