EEDC versus Recover Nigeria Project case resumes on 16th March at Federal High Court Awka

Titus Eleweke , Awka

The case between Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC and the Convener / Coordinator of Recover Nigeria Project, Comrade Osita Obi, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh and others at the Federal High Court two Awka, Anambra state resumes on 16th March 2022.

The new date followed the first defendant comrade Osita Obi’s change of counsel and successful transfer of the case from Federal High Court Abuja to Federal High Court Awka Anambra state.

Following the completion of the process, the presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba issued an order directing all parties to appear on 16th March for the continued hearing of the case.

EEDC in a suit number: FHC/ABJ/476/2019 dragged Osita Obi, ASUU chairman Unizik, the National Director of Sports of National Association of Nigerian Students NANS zone B, Awka chapter Comrade Chiedozie Ojiaku to Abuja High Court now transferred to Federal High Court two for calling out people to protest against the estimated billing, none provision of pre-paid meter and poor service and others by the company.

The plaintiff in the suit claimed that the call by the defendants to stage a protest /walk and occupy the office of the plaintiff at Awka Anambra state until the plaintiff provide pre-paid meter, to stop estimated bills to all customers and to occupy business premises in Awka Anambra state was unlawful ultra vires and against the provision of the electric power sector reform Act No 6 of 2005.
The plaintiff also prayed for a declaration that arranging to occupy the business office of the plaintiffs for none provision of pre-paid meter, excess or estimated bills amount to interference with and disruption of the business of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff also is claiming N100million damage for unlawful interference with the plaintiff’s business.

Other joined in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police Anambra state and the Director of Department of State Service DSS Anambra state.

However, the first defendant had opposed the suit originating in Abuja stating that the appropriate place to institute the case should either be the federal high court Awka or in the high court of the state.
After due consideration, the case was transferred to federal high court two for the continuation of the hearing.
Recover Nigeria project, a civil society organisation had proposed a protest tagged “Awka electricity walk ” designed to compel EEDC to provide pre-paid metres to consumers in the Awka city to be held at Ekwueme park Awka.
The convener had invited consumers to walk for meter, walk for stoppage of estimated billing, walk for greater electricity supply in Awka and walk to end extortion and explosion by EEDC.

Meanwhile, G.S.Okereke has taken up the case file as the new counsel to the defendant Comrade Osita Obi.