Power Minister Tegbe enlists EFCC to prosecute vandalism, energy theft

Nigeria's Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has formally requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to join efforts in addressing vandalism and theft within the national power system. Tegbe made the request during a Tuesday visit to EFCC headquarters in Abuja, meeting with the anti-graft agency's leadership.

The minister outlined three primary sources of financial damage to the power sector. These include the destruction of electrical infrastructure such as poles and cables, the illegal diversion of electricity supplies, and the failure of large electricity consumers to remit payment for consumed power.

According to the sources, these combined activities strip billions of naira from the sector annually. Tegbe stated that the Ministry of Power lacks the legal authority required to prosecute individuals and entities engaged in vandalism or energy theft.

This legislative gap prompted the ministry to seek partnership with the EFCC, whose mandate encompasses financial crimes. The minister argued that collaborative action between the two bodies was essential to hold offenders accountable and restore stability to electricity supply chains.

Distribution companies operating across Nigeria have long flagged the escalating destruction of power lines and theft of transmission materials as obstacles to service delivery. The minister's formal petition to the EFCC marks an attempt to shift enforcement responsibility toward an agency equipped with prosecution powers.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed receipt of the request in a formal statement.