The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs) has pleaded with the federal high court in Lagos to consider its application for stay of further proceedings in suit filed against electricity tariff hike as well as the contempt action initiated against them by a Lagos lawyer.
According to the counsel of the agencies, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), the respondents had lodged an appeal against the decision of the court, which ordered a temporary suspension of the hike pending the determination of the suit, the court should stay further action on the matter.
Toluwani Adebiyi said he had filed contempt action against NERC chairman and discos’ managing directors for disobeying the court’s orders, praying the court to commit the alleged contemnors to prison.
In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, who adjourned till Friday for hearing of the application for stay of proceedings, said after a careful examination of the records of court, there were a number of pending applications to be dispensed with.
The judge also warned the respondents against disobeying subsisting court orders on electricity tariff. He said the government must not act in a way that shows disdain for the court in a constitutional democracy.
