Nigeria: Power Minister Takes Vandalism, Energy Theft Cases to EFCC

What the report says

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to help tackle vandalism and energy theft affecting the country’s power sector. The request was made in Abuja during a courtesy visit to EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede, according to the report published by This Day and distributed by AllAfrica.

The minister said the problems are causing heavy financial losses, with the sector said to be losing billions of naira each year. He also noted that the ministry does not have the legal authority to prosecute offenders on its own, so it must rely on collaboration with the anti-graft agency to investigate and pursue cases involving theft and sabotage.

Tegbe cited vandalism of infrastructure such as towers and manhole covers, as well as unpaid electricity bills by some users with access to power. He also thanked the EFCC for its role in helping resolve a legal dispute that delayed the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.

In response, Olukoyede described the conduct as economic sabotage and pledged support for joint efforts, including fraud risk assessments and audits on ministry projects. The exchange underscores wider concerns about infrastructure security, revenue protection and delivery of more reliable electricity supply in Nigeria.