The Niger State Government has dragged three hydropower stations and their operators located in the state before Federal High Court 2 Minna, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Dan-Ige, over outstanding land rent debt to the tune of N136, 696, 127,200.
The debt under contention is from 2017 to 2022.
Parties involved in the case, according to two separate writs of summons, include the Niger State Revenue Service as the plaintiff and Shiroro Hydro Electric Plc, North South Power Company Ltd., Kainji Hydro Electric Plc, and Mainstream Energy Solutions as defendants.
The other defendants are the Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company.
The Niger State Government, in its statement of claim, is asking for N111, 725, 207, 100 ground rent payments from Kainji Hydro Electric Plc, as well as N21, 970, 920, 100 from Shiroro Hydro Electric Plc.
The plaintiff prayed to the court for an order directing the defendants to pay to the state “an interest on the judgement sum at the rate of 10 per cent per annum till same is liquidated.”
Aside from that, the Niger State Government is also asking for an order to direct the defendants to pay the cost of litigation as it may be assessed by the court.
After hearing the case, the presiding judge consequently adjourned the matter to February 19, 2023.
