A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered parties in the ongoing smart meter procurement dispute involving electricity distribution companies to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of a substantive motion.
The order, delivered on Wednesday by Justice M. N. Yunusa, followed an ex parte application filed by the Trustee of the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) on behalf of its members.
A Certified True Copy of the ruling was made available to The Newsmen on Thursday.
The suit, marked FHC/KN/CS/214/2026, lists the Transmission Company of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises as respondents.
AMMON, representing key meter manufacturing firms including Mojec International Nigeria Limited and others, is challenging the ongoing bid process for the supply and installation of smart meters to eleven electricity distribution companies across the country.
In his ruling, Justice Yunusa directed that all parties must maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The court also ordered that all processes relating to the motion on notice be served accordingly, and adjourned the matter to May 26, 2026, for a report of compliance.
The plaintiff had sought an interim injunction restraining the respondents from taking further steps toward concluding the procurement process, which was initially advertised in January 2026 and scheduled to close on April 30, 2026.
AMMON argued that proceeding with the procurement exercise could undermine the interests of local meter manufacturers and raised concerns over due process in the bidding procedure.
The disputed procurement is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bridge Nigeria’s metering gap and reduce estimated billing in the power sector, a long-standing issue affecting electricity consumers.
Over the years, the government has introduced several metering initiatives, including the National Mass Metering Programme, aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in electricity billing.
However, stakeholders within the local manufacturing sector have repeatedly called for greater inclusion and protection of indigenous companies in such interventions, warning that sidelining local capacity could weaken the domestic industry.