Human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, has dragged Ikeja Electric PLC through the Federal High Court in Lagos for not honouring the 20-hour Band ‘A’ power supply to its customers.
The judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa, specifically granted Falana leave to obtain a writ of mandamus compelling the electricity company to provide detailed information regarding its compliance with the commitment to supplying a minimum of 20 hours of uninterrupted power per day to the Band “A” category of customers.
The judge’s decision was on the heels of an ex-parte application filed and argued by a lawyer, Tope Alabi, from Falana & Falana Chambers.
The motion was supported with a 14-paragraph affidavit sworn to by a legal officer from the NBA Ikeja, Titilayo Omolasho.
The affidavit stated that in April 2024, Ikeja Electric PLC categorised customers into bands – Bands “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” – and began implementing these categories immediately, along with corresponding high tariffs.
Omolasho also claimed that Falana was placed in Band “A,” which had a financial implication of N225 per kWh, later reduced to N206.80 per kWh on May 6, 2024.
She also argued that since initiating the Band “A” classification and committing to provide 20 hours of uninterrupted power supply per day, Ikeja Electric had failed to deliver this service.
Omolasho further stated in the affidavit that Falana had requested information from the company in a letter dated May 24, 2024, regarding compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directive to provide 20 hours of electricity to Band “A” customers.
She claimed that the respondent had since failed, refused, or neglected to provide the requested detailed information and had given no reason for this refusal until the time of filing this report.
