Sokoto BlackOut: IPAC threatens to take PHCN to Court

Life has become unbearable for residents of Sokoto State since  Friday, 2 November 2012, when Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) enforced a total blackout on the residents, Hon. Ibrahim AdamuTudundoki has said. The total blackout, findings says it cannot be unconnected to the alleged fracas between PHCN staff and Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

The chairman Inter Party Advisory Council, Sokoto State chapter, has given the Power Holding Company of Nigeria in the state twenty four hours to end the prolonged blackout in the state or face court action.

Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Tangaza said in a statement obtained by Daily Trust that, "We hereby condemn this act of lawlessness and urge PHCN to, within 24 hours, restore back normal electricity supply to Sokoto, otherwise we would be left with no choice other than going to court to seek re-dress."

Sokoto metropolis and environs have been without power supply for over 48 hours. Source

Court Orders PHCN to Restore Power in Sokoto


The Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice A’ishat Dahiru, Monday restrained the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) from disrupting power supply to any premises within the state.

With the order, PHCN is expected to restore electricity supply which had been disrupted for three days in the state.

The court order followed an ex-parte motion filed by the state government, challenging the PHCN over a blackout of the state by the company over an alleged assault on its staff by the state Governor, Aliyu Wamakko.
The governor had since denied the allegation.

The state government had prayed the court to make an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the first defendant (PHCN), its agents and or privies, from disrupting the generation, transmission and sale of electricity to consumers in the state.
Other reliefs sought included an order of mandatory injunction, directing PHCN and its agents to continue to maintain electricity transmission lines and apparatus throughout the state.

The plaintiff also urged the court to give a perpetual injunction restraining the second defendant, National Union of Electricity Employees, from taking any action to disrupt the generation, transmission, supply and sale of electricity to consumers.

The state government urged the court to grant an injunction against the first and the second defendants, from interfering with the generation, transmission and sale of electricity to any premises owned or controlled by either the executive, legislative or the judiciary arms of state government.

Ruling on the motion in her chamber, the chief judge upheld that PHCN and its staff had no right to disrupt electricity supply in the state.

“The first and the second defendants are hereby restrained from taking any action or steps capable of disrupting or interfering with the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to any premises owned by the state government and people of the state.’’

She said the order was pending the hearing of a moti      on on notice which was fixed for November 12.
Briefing journalists shortly after the ruling, counsel to the state government,  Mr. Jacob Ochidi, said in addition to the substantive suit, there was two motions, an ex-parte and motion on notice.


He said the Judge only heard arguments on motion exparte and granted the prayers.

Ochidi said the defendants would be served accordingly and failure to comply, the state government would seek remedial orders.
PHCN allegedly disconnected electricity in all public places in the state following an alleged misunderstanding between the governor and an employee of the company.

source: THISDAY