WorldStage Newsonline— A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, fixed May 30, to hear a suit filed by communities in Lagos, seeking an order of court to compel Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC), to distribute prepaid meters to residents.
The communities namely; Alaba Oro, Mosafejo Amukoko, Abule Kere, and Olaniyonu respectively, had filed the suit through their lawyer, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, seeking restraining orders on EKEDC.
The suit with number FHC/L/CS/1192/17, also joined the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as co defendant.
When the case was mentioned on Monday, counsel to the claimants (Ogunsanya), announced appearance, and informed the court that he had effected service of processes on the defendants.
Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo said that a proof of service was not in the court’s file.
Oguntoyinbo ordered the counsel to effect service and ensure that all parties to the lawsuit are duly served.
She adjourned the case until May 30.
In their suit, the claimants avers that the EKEDC took over supply of electricity in the areas, and have continued to use the electrical apparatuses inherited from the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
According to the claimants, the distribution company has continued to utilise these apparatuses, which they said had become so obsolete, and have largely affected power distribution in the communities.
Besides, they aver that the estimated billing system adopted by the company, and it’s continued failure to provide prepaid meters for members of the communities, has caused inconveniences, as charges are arbitrary.
According to the claimants, the community is usually at the mercy of the defendant, as disconnections are made from the main source of supply, once consumers fail to pay for the exorbitant electricity bills, within same month of billing.
The claimants said that the defendant had persistently refused to deliver prepaid meters to the communities, in spite of series of complaint and protest, but have taken delight in its continuous arbitrary billing system.
The claimant, therefore, seeks an order of court, directing the defendant to immediately distribute prepaid meters to all members of its communities.
They also seek an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendant from issuing bills to any consumer in its communities, without prepaid meters.
Meanwhile, the claimant are demanding payment of N50 million in damages against the defendant.
In the alternative, they are seeking an order, directing the NERC to withdraw the provisional licenses of power distribution issued to EKEDC, and make a replacement.(NAN)
