The Federal High Court today delivered a landmark judgment in the case FHC/ABJ/CS/244/2023 – Festus Sanmi Onifade & Coalition of Nigeria Consumers vs. Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The matter arose after a request for the disclosure of electricity tariffs charged by AEDC, made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, was denied. AEDC argued that as a private entity, it was not bound by the provisions of the FOI Act.
In its judgment, however, the Court held that AEDC is indeed subject to the FOI Act, 2011, given that it provides essential public services falling within the scope of the Act. The Court’s decision affirms that private institutions performing public functions must adhere to the principles of transparency and accountability.
Accordingly, the Court ordered the Defendant to provide the requested information to the Applicant within seven days of the judgment.
This ruling marks a significant victory for consumer rights, transparency, and public interest litigation in Nigeria. It is not only a personal success for the Applicant but also a collective triumph for all Nigerian electricity consumers, who deserve fairness and openness from service providers.
Further updates will follow once the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment is released.
