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By Lukman Olabiyi
The Enugu State High Court has restrained Enugu Electricity Distribution Company(EEDC) from disconnecting power supply to Oranto Hotel &Tower Ltd.
The court gave the order while ruling on a motion Ex-parte filed on February 27 by the hotel against EEDC , Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The applicant had dragged the respondents before the court over issue bordering on EEDC refusal to provide pre-meter, estimated billing and others.
The applicant’s Motion Ex-Parte was dated February 37, 2025 and filed the same day, brought pursuant to Order 40 Rules 1 & 3 of the High Court Rules of Enugu State, 2020, statement supported by four paragraphs affidavit verifying facts in support of the application, and exhibits regarding request for replacement of Oranto Hotel Post-paid meter with a Pre-Paid Meter dater 8th January 2025, exhibit requesting for replacement of Oranto Hotel post paid meter with a pre-paid meter dated 10th January 2025, exhibit of demand for bill for payment of pre-paid meter for Oranto Hotel & Towers Ltd. dated 21st February, 2025 and a written address.
After listening to the application moved and argued by Chief G. Tagbo Ike SAN with Favour Adams for the applicant, Justice A R Ozoemena granted leave to the hotel to apply for judicial review in terms of the statement accompanying it application.
Apart restraining EEDC from disconnecting power supply to the hotel, the court also ordered the firm to immediately provide pre-paid meter to the hotel among other reliefs sought.
While ruling on the application, some of the orders granted by Justice A R Ozoemena includes the following: “That the hotel is entitled to have the post-paid meter replaced with pre-paid meter within two (2) working days, upon her request the EEDC to so do, under Regulation 16(1) and (2) of Meter Asset Provider Regulations, 2018, promulgated 3rd Respondent.
“That the EEDC’s bent to continue impose post-paid metering on applicant’s electricity consumption instead of pre-paid metering is designed to exploit and reap-off applicant financially, which the other respondents were institutionalized to check in Enugu electricity market.
“That Perpetual injunction is made restraining the EEDC from disconnecting electricity supply to the applicant on the basis of unverified and unaccountable post-paid meter.
“That perpetual mandatory injunction is made compelling EEDC to replace the post-paid meter with pre-paid meter, while EERC shall ensure compliance with order of the court.
“That an order is made for EERC to mediate and determine EEDC’s electricity supply bill on the applicant from August, 2024 to 13th January, 2025”.
Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till March 13.
