A businessman, Jerry Okolo, has filed a law suit against the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) at an FCT High Court in Gudu over an alleged illegal billing.
Jerry's suit was accompanied by that of his landlord, Abimaje Ebute, as co-claimant against the AEDC.
In their relief, are demanding the sum of N10 million as general damages for the alleged illegal and unlawful actions of the defendant.
The claimants are also appealing for N5 million as damages for inconveniences and losses incurred by them.
In addition, they are seeking the payment of N500,000 as the cost of prosecuting the suit.
When the matter, which was slated for a report of settlement before Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi came up on Wednesday, the claimants’ counsel, Frank Nnaba, informed the court that the parties were discussing the possibility of settlement, but were yet to conclude.
He, therefore, appealed for an adjournment to enable the parties enough time to conclude on the terms of a settlement.
On his part, the defence counsel, Ifeanyi Aborgu, aligned with the submission of Nnaba.
Accordingly, the judge adjourned the matter until April 27, for the report of settlement or hearing in the event that the parties do not reach an agreement.
In the claimants’ statement, made available to Gazette, Journal Reporters learnt that the defendant had been sending an estimated electricity bill to the house located at FHA, Lugbe, Abuja since 2014, although the house was hardly occupied since 2018 when Jerry was transferred out of Abuja.
According to the Statement, Jerry said he wrote to the defendant that the estimated billing should be stopped and a pre-paid meter installed, but it was never done.
In addition, he explained that although he comes to the house on a quarterly basis, the bills kept coming and the AEDC charged the sum of N23,814.39 in one of the months he was away.
He said the electricity supply to the house was disconnected in August 2019 after months of non-payment from him.
Jerry confirmed in the suit that he paid the sum of N5,000 as reconnection fee and on December 24, 2019, a pre-paid meter was finally installed.
He added that by then, the defendant said he was indebted to them to the sum of N171,000.00, which was the accumulated bills for the period he was disconnected from electricity supply.
In furtherance to the assumed indebtedness, Jerry said every time he made purchases of electricity token from the defendant, 60 percent of the amount is deducted by way of payment for the alleged N171,000 debt.
He said it was this continual deduction that necessitated the suit and damages he incurred when his things got destroyed due to the disconnection while he was away.
Reviewed by Okenwa Chinedu
on
March 10, 2021
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