Enugu Disco managers jailed for 3 months over estimated bills, disconnection
It was relief for members of Iweka Electronic Amalgamated Traders Association (IEATA) , Onitsha the commercial city of Anambra State as a State High Court sitting in Onitsha on Tuesday sentenced the Manager and Marketing Manager of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company ( EEDC), Onitsha district, for three months over crazy bills and unlawful disconnection of power source in the market.
The market officials had dragged EEDC to court for disconnecting their electricity supply after receiving N2m estimated bill from the company.
Upon total rejection of the crazy bill, the traders approached the court to seek redress and permanent solution to the recurring crisis of bills estimation. They prayed the court to make a declaration condemning payment of disputed electricity bills.
Before the judgment, the court had made an interim order of injunction wherein parties were asked to maintain status quo on May 23, 2016 following oral submissions of both counsel.
But the matter got worst when the court gathered that upon its standing interim order, the EEDC officials went and disconnected the traders’ lines.
In his judgment against the EEDC managers, Justice Ike Obu described the EEDC managers act as tactless of impunity and convicted the duo for three months without the option of fine for their actions.
He argued that the defendant should have obeyed the court order pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The judge ruled that “You are hereby committed to prison for three months until you purged yourselves of the contempt.”
Jubilant reactions trailed the judgment throughout the market as traders were seen in groups praising their leaders for the brave pursuit of rule of law.
