ANGRY that they will spend the yuletide without electricity, some residents of the Delta Steel Company (DSC) Township in Udu Local Gicvernment Area of Delta State have dragged the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution. Company (BEDC) to court over wrongful mass disconnection.
The applicants; Mr Eyo Eyo, Mr Imhoitsike Osi, Mr Okoronkwo Emmanuel and Mr Ofemu Amos through their counsel, Mr Teddy Idiabeta, dragged the respondents: BEDC and Mr Okiti Ayodele to an Udu High Court presided over by Justice C Achilefu.
The applicants, in a suit number: OUHC/170/2016, prayed the court to grant them leave to serve their Originating Summon and Motion on Notice filed on Dec. 6, 2016 on the respondents at their Headquarters, 5, Akpakpava Street, Benin-City, Edo.
They also sought the court order to sue, on their own behalf and as representing all the interested residents of DSC Township 2, 3 and 4 of the class, as defined electricity consumers by the BEDC.
Consequent upon hearing the motion moved by applicants’ counsel on December 8, Justice Achilefu, granted their prayers.
”Leave is hereby granted to the named Claimants/Applicants to sue on their own behalf and as representing all the interested residents of DSC Steel Town 2, 3 and 4 of the class as defined as electricity consumers of the BEDC.
”The residents who were affected by the wrongful mass disconnection of electricity supply caused by the defendants.
”Leave is also hereby granted to the Claimants/Applicants to serve Originating Summon and their Motion on Notice filed on Dec. 6, 2016 respectively on the Defendants/Respondents at their Headquarters at 5, Akpakpava Street, Benin-City, Edo a place outside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court,” Achilefu said.
The case has been adjourned till Jan. 16, 2017 for mention.