…says 95 electricity-related injuries also recorded

• Kekere-Ekun fumes, warns electricity regulatory body on public safety

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday raised concern over the 112 electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries recorded in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry in 2024.

Kekere-Ekun made this known while delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission 2025 Seminar for Judicial Officers in Abuja.

She urged the judiciary to enforce industry safety regulations firmly. She stressed the need for courts to hold operators accountable for violations that compromise public safety.

The seminar with theme, “Navigating the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Evolving Electricity Sector,” brought together key stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the power industry.

She said, “NERC’s latest reports reveal an alarming trend. One hundred twelve (112) electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries were recorded in 2024 alone. The judiciary must take a proactive stance in enforcing safety regulations.

“Operators who fail to comply must be held accountable, while victims and their families must be accorded the justice they deserve. The safety of our citizens must never be treated as incidental. It is a legal and moral imperative.”

She said that one cannot overemphasise the significance of the judiciary in ensuring that regulatory bodies, such as the NERC, operate within the bounds of the law.

According to her, NERC’s statutory responsibility includes the issuance of subsidiary legislation, the setting of rates, and the adjudication of industry-related disputes.

Kekere-Ekun said that while the powers are necessary for efficient regulation, they must be exercised in a manner that is procedurally fair, transparent, and subject to judicial oversight.

The CJN said, accordingly, the courts must remain vigilant in their review of delegated legislation to guard against arbitrariness, protect the doctrine of legitimate expectation, and uphold public participation as a tenet of regulatory governance.

She said in so doing, the judiciary gives life to the rule of law and promotes a legal environment conducive to sustainable development