Court Orders Restoration of Eko Electricity Management Amidst Board Crisis
The ongoing board dispute at Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDP) took a dramatic turn last Thursday when Hon. Justice D . U Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order for the reinstatement of the management team led by Dr. Tinuade Sandra. This decision is pending the resolution of the suit aimed at clarifying NERC’s directives.
Despite the court’s ruling, Dr. Sandra is yet to resume her duties, as investigations reveal. EKEDP Chairman, Dere Otubu, remains firm in his stance, seemingly unwilling to comply with the court’s directive.
The legal tussle stems from the Chairman of EKEDP’s decision to dismiss the MD/CEO and other senior staff, citing NERC directives. These directives were issued in response to allegations of ghost workers and emphasized the need for all staff to be directly employed by EKEDP.
However, Otubu’s interpretation of the directives deviates from NERC’s intention. Instead of recalling the affected staff, Otubu maintained his actions, prompting NERC to issue further clarifications.
Despite NERC’s attempt to clarify its directives, Otubu persisted in his actions, prompting the matter to be taken to the Federal High Court for interpretation. Pending the court’s final decision, the management team has been ordered to resume their former positions.
The ongoing legal battle reflects the complexity of the situation at EKEDP and underscores the importance of clarity and adherence to regulatory directives in the power sector.
Source: EKEDC Communication
