Power minister seeks EFCC intervention over vandalism, energy theft - Punch Newspapers
File: Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle vandalism and energy theft, which he said were costing the power sector billions of naira annually. Tegbe made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when he led a delegation from the Ministry of Power on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s headquarters. A statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale stated that the minister said vandalism of power infrastructure and energy theft were undermining the sector, adding that the ministry lacked the statutory powers to prosecute offenders. He therefore sought the EFCC’s support in investigating and prosecuting individuals and entities allegedly involved in economic crimes affecting the power sector. “There are two areas where we need your intervention. One area is vandalism. There is a lot of vandalism going on in this country. People are stealing manhole covers and other valuables. The vandalisation is affecting our towers. “The President has charged us to create awareness and also prosecute people (those stealing and buying) but we do not have the power to prosecute offenders. We can only report to you. They can be arrested and prosecuted. We believe the Commission can help us in that area. We need to collaborate,”Tegbe was quoted as saying. On energy theft, the minister said some electricity consumers were failing to pay for power supplied to them, resulting in significant revenue losses. “The second area is energy theft. Companies that have access to power do not pay electricity bills. We are losing billions annually. We need your intervention,” he said. 2027: AU delegation visits INEC to assess election preparedness NSCDC arrests three suspects for vandalism, theft of public facility in Anambra 2027: Reps deputy spokesman backs Tinubu with new mobilisation group Tegbe also commended Olukoyede for what he described as his achievements in the investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes, as well as the recovery of proceeds of crime. He described the EFCC chairman’s approach as “a bold and ambitious approach.” The minister expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the ministry and the EFCC would help curb activities undermining the power sector and support efforts to improve electricity supply. He also thanked the commission for its intervention in the legal dispute that stalled the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State. Responding, Olukoyede described vandalism and energy theft as revenue fraud and “major concerns and acts of economic sabotage,” pledging the commission’s collaboration with the ministry. The EFCC chairman said the commission would work with the ministry to introduce Fraud Risk Assessment and Control mechanisms across its projects. “We are ready to work with you, particularly in the area of incorporating Fraud Risk Assessment and Control to all your projects; both the abandoned ones and the new ones coming up. We will set up a team to analyse and audit some of the projects,” he said. Olukoyede further assured the ministry of the EFCC’s support in monitoring ongoing projects, stressing the need for preventive measures against fraud. “We must not wait till monies are stolen, particularly on sensitive projects. It is not going to be business as usual,” he said. Solomon Odeniyi Solomon Odeniyi is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over six years of professional experience. He has covered key national beats including the judiciary, military, and police, and currently reports on anti-corruption and related issues. Solomon’s work reflects a strong commitment to development-oriented reporting, public interest journalism, and accountability.
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