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Customer Drags NERC, AGF To Court Over Electricity Tariff Hike, Classification

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2024

A customer of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Festus Onifade, has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from continuing with the implementation of multi-year tariff order 2024 which classified electricity consumers into Band A to E.

On April 3, the NERC increased the electricity tariff for customers receiving 20 hours of power daily.

The electricity tariff for Band A customers was increased from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh.

The NERC afterwards instructed the 11 Distribution Companies to disclose their lists of Band A customers, who are entitled to receive a minimum of 20 hours of daily power supply.

Onifade, a lawyer in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/492/2024, urged the court to halt the classification and the tariff hike.

He specifically said the classification was a breach of his fundamental rights and those of other customers, urging the court to declare it unconstitutional.

His reliefs partly read, “A declaration that the Policy of classification of the Claimant and other Consumers by the 1st Defendant into band A, B, C, D and E is a breach of the Claimant’s and other Consumers fundamental Right to freedom from discrimination as enshrined in the African and Human and People Right’s and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void.

“An order restraining NERC, AEDC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from continuing with the policy of classification of Nigerian customers to Band A, B, C, D and E by their location and increasing their tariffs pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

“An order of this Honourable Court perpetually restraining the Defendants, their privies, agents and other people from giving effect and continuing with the implementation of Multi-Year Tariff Order 2024 and increase in the of prices of Electricity and downgrading of the Claimant and other Customers by classification into Bands A, B, C, D, E forthwith,” he added.

In an affidavit he deposed to, Onifade stated that the classification amounted to discrimination against himself and other customers not residing in highbrow areas.

He contended with the classification that customers residing in less privileged areas, including himself, would have a lower power supply.

Onifade said, “By virtue of this classification, the first Defendant classified the second Defendant’s Customers living in the high brown urban areas of Maitama, Asokoro, Aso villa to Band A to enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours and above.

“By the same classification, the first Defendant classified the Claimant and other second Defendant’s Customers living in less privileged areas to Band B, C D and E thereby consigning these categories of customers to a perpetual state of lower, limited electricity supply of 16 hours for customers on band B, 12 hours and above for Customers on Band C, 8 hours and above for Customers on band D and 6 hours and above for Customers on Band E respectively.”

No date has been fixed for hearing of the matter.
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Related Topics:#Electricity tariff Electricity

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

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1 hour ago

August 24, 2025

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.