The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has sought the intervention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat vandalism and energy theft, which he said are costing Nigeria’s power sector billions of naira annually.
Tegbe requested on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when he led a delegation from the Ministry of Power on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The minister identified vandalism and energy theft as major challenges undermining the development and financial sustainability of the power sector.
He explained that while the ministry had been directed to create awareness and ensure that offenders were prosecuted, it lacked the statutory powers to prosecute those involved in the crimes.
“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,” Tegbe said.
He added that vandalism was also affecting power transmission infrastructure, including towers, and called for collaboration with the EFCC to arrest and prosecute those involved in stealing and buying vandalised infrastructure.
“We believe the Commission can help us in that area. We need to collaborate,” he said.
On energy theft, Tegbe said some companies with access to electricity deliberately failed to pay their bills, resulting in huge financial losses to 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,” the minister said.
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 expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the EFCC would help disrupt criminal activities undermining the sector and support efforts to improve electricity supply across the country.
The minister also appreciated the EFCC for its intervention in the legal dispute that had stalled the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.
Responding, Olukoyede described vandalism and energy theft as forms of revenue fraud and “major concerns and acts of economic sabotage”.
He pledged the Commission’s collaboration with the Ministry of Power in tackling the challenges.
Olukoyede further promised that the EFCC would introduce Fraud Risk Assessment and Control mechanisms across power-sector projects, including abandoned projects and new ones being undertaken by the ministry.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the Commission would set up a team to analyse and audit some of the projects as part of efforts to prevent fraud and protect public funds.
He also assured the ministry of the EFCC’s support in monitoring ongoing projects, stressing that preventive measures must be taken before funds meant for critical infrastructure are stolen.
“We must not wait till monies are stolen, particularly on sensitive projects. It is not going to be business as usual,” Olukoyede said.
