Nigeria Power Minister seeks EFCC crackdown on energy theft

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene in combating electricity infrastructure vandalism and energy theft. During a meeting with EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede in Abuja, Tegbe highlighted that these activities result in billions of naira in annual losses for the power sector.

The Minister noted that the Ministry of Power lacks the statutory authority to directly prosecute offenders. He specifically identified two critical issues: the theft of physical components, such as manhole covers and tower parts, and energy theft by companies and consumers who fail to pay for supplied electricity.

Tegbe stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed the ministry to increase public awareness and ensure those involved in the theft and purchase of vandalized infrastructure are prosecuted. The ministry is seeking closer collaboration with the EFCC to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities involved in these economic crimes to improve the financial sustainability and reliability of the national power supply.