Court adjourns N140bn suit against power generating companies

The Federal High Court 2, Minna, on Monday adjourned a N140 billion ground rent suit filed against North-South Power Company Limited and the Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, to March 11.

Our correspondent reports that the suit was instituted by Niger State Internal Revenue Service in January.

It is asking the court to compel the companies to pay their outstanding ground rent of about N140 billion, which accumulated between 2017 and 2022.

In the write of summon, the revenue service listed Shiroro Hydro Electric Plc, North South Power Company Ltd, and Kainji Hydro Electric Plc, Mainstream Energy Solutions as defendants.

Also listed as defendants were the Federal Ministry of Power and Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited.

Mohammed Ndayako (SAN), the plaintiff’s counsel, told the court that the third respondent, Shiroro Hydro-Electric PLC, was not in court despite being served the court processes.

He also said the first defendant, Federal Ministry of Power, did not file any process including a memorandum of appearance even though its counsel was in court.

He added that the counsel to the fourth respondent filed his responses out of time.

Similarly, Lemu Aliyu (SAN), Counsel to Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd., told the court that the third respondent Kainji Hydro-Electric PLC, was served with the processes as confirmed by the court’s registry.

The Judge, Justice Abdullahi Dan-Ige, adjourned the case to March 11, 2024 for further mention, to enable all parties in the matters to file and exchange court processes.