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NERC Grant Approval For An Increase In Electricity Tariff
In a decisive move to address the nation’s electricity challenges, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted approval for an increase in electricity tariffs.
This pivotal decision aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the electricity sector, paving the way for crucial improvements in service delivery.
During a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, Vice Chairman Musliu Oseni unveiled the commission’s decision to implement a surge in electricity tariffs.
With this adjustment, customers falling under the Band A category will witness a notable rise in their electricity bills, from the current rate of N66 to N225 per kilowatt-hour.
This strategic move is poised to bolster revenue generation and foster long-term viability within the electricity market.
Highlighting the operational restructuring underway, Vice Chairman Oseni revealed plans to reduce the number of feeders classified as Band A. From the current count of 800 feeders, the commission aims to streamline this figure to under 500.
This strategic manoeuvre is anticipated to optimise resource allocation and improve service coverage across key regions.
The transition to Band A classification signifies a significant shift in the distribution of electricity services. While previously servicing a broad spectrum of customers, these feeders now cater to a narrower demographic, encompassing only 17 percent of total electricity consumers.
This targeted approach seeks to enhance service quality and address the unique needs of Band A customers more effectively.
In tandem with the tariff adjustment, NERC has issued a directive titled the April Supplementary Order, outlining key provisions and guidelines for market participants.
Among the directives is the allowance of 235 kilowatt per hour, signalling a calibrated approach towards tariff management and market regulation.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, hosted a delegation from the United States Embassy, led by Colonel Tom Brooks, the US Defence Attaché in Nigeria, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja on Wednesday.
This was according to a statement by the minister’s Personal Assistant for Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
The statement noted that yhe discussions centred on deepening the existing military-to-military cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces and their US counterparts.
The meeting, held at the Ship House headquarters, underscored both nations’ commitment to enhancing defence collaboration.
Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, alongside directors and senior military officers, also attended the talks.
A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.
In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.
They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.
Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.
The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.
“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.
“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”
The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.
Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.
“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
The alleged certificate forgery brought against the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Honourable Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has already been terminated by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in Abuja.
The termination of the allegation by the AGF office followed the report of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) to the effect that the allegation of the primary school leaving certificate cannot be sustained in any law court.
These facts are contained in a counter affidavit filed by an Abuja lawyer, Mr Charles Okoye against the fresh Direct Criminal Complaint of certificate forgery brought against the AMAC boss by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Awalu Tanko Mohammed, in suit No. AB/ CR/DUT/324/2025, before a Magistrate Court in Abuja.
Okoye, while challenging the jurisdiction of Magistrate Abdullahi Ilelah, to assume trial in the certificate forgery allegation said in the counter affidavit that such an action by any court in the country would be an affront to the authority and powers of the AGF, as donated in the 1999 Constitution.
The defendant’s lawyer in the counter affidavit said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), FCT Police Command, Abuja, had upon completion of its investigation into the alleged certificate forgery presented its report to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, for review and possible next line of action.
He said that the DPPF after reviewing the findings of Police operatives came to the conclusion that the certificate forgery allegation cannot be substantiated in any law court as no concrete evidence was attached to the petition as an exhibit.
Okoye maintained that based on the findings of the DPPF and the subsequent recommendation, the office of the AGF terminated the complaint forthwith and therefore charged Magistrate Ilelah to discountenance the fresh Direct Criminal Complaint filed by the aggrieved APC chieftain before the court.
Similarly, the counsel stated that the issue of primary school certificate forgery was raised in 2022 at the AMAC Election Petition Tribunal and was dismissed for want of merit by the tribunal.
The lawyer maintained that masquerading the same allegation under any guise is a mere waste of the precious judicial time of the Magistrate Court and a ploy to settle old scores with the AMAC boss.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the AMAC chairman could not attend the court due to his appointment with the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical checkups.
His counsel, Charles Okoye told Magistrate Ilelah that he had already written a letter on the reason for AMAC chairman’s absence in court and prayed the court for an adjournment of the proceedings.
Counsel to the complainant, Mr Job Peter Israel did not object to adjournment request but however stated that the medical report attached to the application for adjournment should not be believed by the court.
At the instance of the two lawyers, Magistrate Ilelah fixed May 23, for either arraignment or mention of the Direct Criminal Complaint.