By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has called for the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle vandalism and energy theft in Nigeria’s power sector, which he said are costing the country billions of naira annually.
Tegbe made the call on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 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 in Abuja.
The minister said vandalism of power infrastructure, including transmission towers and other valuable equipment, had become a major challenge to efforts to improve electricity supply across the country.
According to him, the Ministry of Power does not have the statutory authority to prosecute offenders, making collaboration with the EFCC necessary to investigate and prosecute those involved in the theft and purchase of vandalised power infrastructure.
“There are two areas where we need your intervention. One area is vandalism. There is a lot of vandalism going on in this country,” Tegbe said.
He noted that the theft of infrastructure such as manhole covers and other valuable components was affecting the power system, adding that the Federal Government was determined to create awareness and prosecute both those stealing infrastructure and those buying stolen materials.
“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,” he said.
Tegbe also identified energy theft as another major challenge, saying some companies with access to electricity fail to pay their bills, resulting in significant revenue losses for the sector.
“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.
He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the EFCC would help curb economic crimes undermining the electricity sector and support efforts to improve power supply.
Responding, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described vandalism and energy theft as revenue fraud and major acts of economic sabotage, pledging the Commission’s support to the Ministry of Power.
Olukoyede said the EFCC would work with the ministry to introduce Fraud Risk Assessment and Control across its projects, including abandoned projects and new ones.
“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.
He further assured the ministry that the EFCC would monitor ongoing projects to prevent funds from being diverted or stolen.
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“We must not wait till monies are stolen particularly on sensitive projects. It is not going to be business as usual,” Olukoyede said.
The minister also commended Olukoyede for what he described as his achievements in investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes, as well as recovering proceeds of crime.
Tegbe described the EFCC chairman’s approach as “bold and ambitious,” while expressing confidence that closer collaboration between both institutions would strengthen accountability and protect investments in the power sector.
He also thanked the Commission for its intervention in the legal dispute that had stalled the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.
