No Court Ruling Against New Tariff - Aba Power Tells Consumers to Pay Bills

Aba Power, Nigeria's newest electricity distribution company (DisCo), has strongly refuted media reports alleging that an Abia State High Court nullified the new electricity tariff introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The company described the claims as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and create unnecessary panic among electricity consumers.

The controversy arose after NERC approved a new tariff structure for Aba Power, which took effect on January 1, 2025. This decision came nine months after similar tariff adjustments were granted to the other 11 DisCos operating in Nigeria. However, Barrister Larry Iroka lawyer to Aba Electricity Consumers Forum while speaking to the media stated that the Abia State High Court had ruled against the increase, supposedly ordering Aba Power to revert to its old tariff structure.

In response to the claims, Aba Power's Communication and Brand Manager, Edise Ekong, issued an official statement dismissing the statement as "completely untrue and misleading.ÔÇØ He emphasized that Justice Enyinnaya Ikpeazu of the Isiala Ngwa High Court did not issue any directive nullifying the new tariff.

"It is entirely false that the court ordered Aba Power to return to the old tariff," Ekong stated.

He explained that the matter originated when a group known as the Aba Electricity Consumers Forum filed a lawsuit against the NERC directive, seeking to overturn the new tariff. However, the judge ruled that the group was unregistered and had no legal standing to file such a case in court.

"The court dismissed the case on the grounds that the group is not a legally recognized entity. Instead of reporting this accurately, the group and its allies resorted to spreading propaganda aimed at misleading electricity consumers and discouraging them from paying the new tariff," Ekong added.

Further clarifying the situation, Ekong revealed that the court specifically directed the promoters of the unregistered group, led by one Ike Opigwe, to appear before it as individual electricity consumers rather than as representatives of an illegitimate organization.

Despite the ruling, some individuals reportedly took to social media and various online platforms to push false claims that the court had invalidated the NERC-approved tariff hike for Aba Power.

Ekong urged customers within Aba Power's jurisdiction, known as the Aba Ring-fenced Area-which covers nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State-to continue paying the newly approved tariff without fear. He further warned that the Federal Government had already announced plans to introduce a nationwide electricity tariff increase soon.

"The Federal Government has made it clear that a major tariff hike is coming, possibly within this month. This increase is part of the government's strategy to gradually eliminate electricity subsidies, which have cost over 6 trillion since the privatization of the power sector in 2013, Ekong noted.

Ekong further pointed out that Aba Power remains the only electricity distribution company in Nigeria that has not received any financial support or subsidy from the Federal Government.

"Aba Power is unique in that it has never benefited from government subsidies. Even the generation arm of the Geometric Power Integrated Power Group, which supplies electricity to Aba Power, has not received any financial assistance from the government," he stated.

Despite operating without federal support, Ekong highlighted that Aba Power has continued to improve power distribution within its coverage area and has been recognized as a model of excellence in Nigeria's electricity sector.

"We take great pride in being widely regarded as a role model in the Nigerian power industry," he concluded.

The clarification by Aba Power comes at a critical time when Nigerians are grappling with rising electricity costs and the broader implications of subsidy removal. The company's response seeks to dispel misinformation while reinforcing the need for customers to stay informed and comply with the newly approved tariffs.

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