A recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a case brought forth by an industry group challenging the increase in electricity tariffs by a distribution company and 11 others. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria had contested the hike in electricity prices, claiming it would have negative effects on the economy and market stability.
The court found that the industry group’s lawsuit was premature and did not follow proper legal procedures, leading to the dismissal of the case. The court highlighted that the group had not exhausted dispute resolution mechanisms before taking legal action.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had approved a tariff increase for certain bands after considering the economic environment. Despite the industry group’s claims of regulatory non-compliance and discrimination in the tariff increase, the court sided with the commission, stating that the case was not filed in accordance with the law.