A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday restrained the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), from implementing the new electricity tariff which was to take effect from June 1. A statement by NERC said, the Judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, gave the order, in a ruling on an ex-parte application filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Toluwani Adebiyi.
Idris restrained the NERC and the electricity distribution companies from effecting any increment in electricity tariff pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Adebiyi, who argued the ex-parte application, had urged the court to restrain the NERC and the electricity distribution companies from implementing such plans to avoid further hardship and unjustifiable tariff increment on Nigerians.
The Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, had, at a news conference in Abuja, announced plans by the Commission to implement the upward review in electricity tariff from June 1.
However, Idris, after entertaining arguments from Adebiyi, ordered the NERC to maintain the status quo of the substantive suit till the hearing of the suit.
The judge ordered that the motion and other processes in the suit be served on the NERC.
Idris also granted leave to the applicant to serve the originating summons, the affidavit in support, list of exhibits and the written address on the defendant in Abuja, which is outside Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court.
The judge also adjourned the suit to June 11 for hearing.