Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi has adjourned the case of unauthorised migration to Band A filed by the Surulere electricity consumers against the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC and Eko Forum till June 24, 2025.
This followed the first preliminary hearing in the case on Thursday when lawyers to the defendant were absent.
While addressing newsmen shortly after the hearing, Barr. Dapo Oduwole, representing the plaintiff, expressed optimism for justice for his client, adding that it was clear from all indications that their rights as electricity consumers had been infringed upon.
He disclosed that one of their prayers before the court is for his client to be returned to Band B from the unsolicited Band A, which he said has not only brought economic hardship but almost dried their pockets.
Barr Oduwole further said that another demand is refund to customers who acquired prepaid metres on their own when the electricity supplier was not forthcoming in providing such for them in line with the directive of the NERC.
He insisted that the refund must be paid in line with the current value of the prepaid metre.
According to him, the Surulere electricity consumers do not even enjoy the expected electricity supply for being on Band A, noting that immediate reversal to Band B must be complied with.
He accused the electricity supplier of a monumental fraud in dealing with those on post-paid under the guise of estimated billing saying that rather than reading their consumption as expected, they only send them crazy bills based on assumptions.
The lawyer also expressed worry over the billing of innocent electricity consumers when some residents decided to bypass supply, usually done with corrupt EKEDC officials’ connivance.
Some of the concerned residents who stormed the court carried placards with inscriptions “EKEDC Band A is more expensive than House Rent”, “Save us from the fraudulent act of EKEDC” and “Your Band A is killing our economy every day.”
The next hearing in the case has been adjourned until June 24, 2025.
