The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intervene in the fight against power infrastructure vandalism and electricity theft, which he said were causing billions of naira in losses to the sector each year.
Drivetvnews gathered that Tegbe made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during a visit to the EFCC headquarters, where he led a delegation from the Ministry of Power to meet with the commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
According to an EFCC statement issued by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Tegbe said the ministry lacked the legal authority to prosecute those involved in vandalising electricity infrastructure.
He called for stronger cooperation with the EFCC to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses allegedly involved in economic crimes affecting the power sector.
The minister also raised concerns about electricity consumers who allegedly fail to pay their bills despite receiving power, saying the practice was contributing to substantial revenue losses.
Tegbe further commended the EFCC leadership for its work in investigating financial crimes, recovering illicit proceeds and prosecuting offenders.
He expressed optimism that closer cooperation between both institutions would help reduce activities undermining the power sector and support efforts to improve electricity supply.
The minister also acknowledged the EFCC’s intervention in a legal dispute that had delayed the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.
Responding, Olukoyede described infrastructure vandalism and energy theft as forms of revenue fraud and economic sabotage, assuring the ministry of the commission’s cooperation.
He said the EFCC would introduce Fraud Risk Assessment and Control measures across power-sector projects, including abandoned and newly initiated projects.
Olukoyede added that the commission would monitor projects and conduct audits where necessary, stressing that preventive measures were essential to stop funds from being misappropriated before losses occurred.
