Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Oyinkan Abayomi, Ikoyi, has adjourned the case of unauthorized migration to Band A, filed by Surulere electricity consumers against the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and Eko Forum, to June 24, 2025.
This followed the first preliminary hearing of the case today at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, where the defense lawyers were absent.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the hearing, Barrister Dapo Oduwole, representing the plaintiffs, expressed optimism about securing justice for his clients. He stated that it was evident their rights as electricity consumers had been infringed upon.
He disclosed that one of their key prayers before the court is for his clients to be returned to Band B from the unsolicited Band A, which, according to him, has not only caused economic hardship but has also drained their finances.
Barrister Oduwole further noted that another demand is a refund to customers who acquired prepaid meters on their own when the electricity supplier failed to provide them, despite NERC’s directive. He insisted that the refund must be paid in line with the current value of the prepaid meters.
According to him, Surulere electricity consumers do not even receive the expected electricity supply for being on Band A, emphasizing that an immediate reversal to Band B must be implemented.
He accused the electricity supplier of engaging in monumental fraud, particularly in dealing with post-paid customers under the guise of estimated billing. Instead of reading their actual consumption, he alleged that EKEDC issued arbitrary and inflated bills based on assumptions.
The lawyer also expressed concern over the billing of innocent electricity consumers when some residents illegally bypass supply, often in connivance with corrupt EKEDC officials.
Some of the affected residents, who stormed the court in protest, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “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 scheduled for June 24, 2025.
