Breaking: Court Blocks Electricity Tariff Hike in Kano, Orders NERC and KEDCO to Maintain Status Quo

The court directed Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) to discontinue the implementation of the tariff increase from N76.54/Kwh to N225/Kwh, which was set to take effect in April 2024.

In a landmark ruling, a federal high court in Kano has issued an interim order halting the implementation of a controversial electricity tariff hike for Band A customers in the state. The court's decision comes as a significant relief to consumers and businesses who were facing a substantial increase in their electricity bills.

The court directed Kano Electricity Distribution Plc (KEDCO) to discontinue the implementation of the tariff increase from N76.54/Kwh to N225/Kwh, which was set to take effect in April 2024. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, who presided over the case, also restrained the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and KEDCO from taking any further steps pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by the applicants.

The applicants, including Supper Sack Limited, BBY Sack Limited, Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Food Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile, and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Co limited by guarantee, had filed a motion exparte seeking an injunction to stop the tariff hike. The court granted the order after hearing counsel for the applicants, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmud and Yahaya Isa Abdulkareem, who moved the motion experte supported by an affidavit sworn to by Engineer Aliyu Jibrin Abdullahi.

The court's order also restrained NERC and KEDCO from intimidating or threatening to disconnect the applicants from electricity supply for non-acceptance of the April 2024 supplementary order pending the hearing of the substantive suit. The interim injunction has been ordered to be published in national dailies, and the court has fixed May 16 for the hearing on the motion on notice.

This ruling is a significant victory for consumers and businesses in Kano, who were facing a substantial increase in their electricity bills. The court's decision highlights the importance of protecting consumers' rights and ensuring that any changes to electricity tariffs are fair and reasonable.

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