The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intervene in the growing cases of vandalism and energy theft affecting Nigeria’s power sector.
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 and energy theft were imposing significant financial losses on the power sector, with billions of naira reportedly lost annually.
Vandalism and Energy Theft Causing Billions in Losses
Tegbe identified vandalism as one of the major challenges undermining the power sector, noting that criminals were stealing infrastructure and valuable materials, including manhole covers.
He said the vandalisation of electricity infrastructure was also affecting power transmission towers and other critical assets.
According to the minister, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the ministry to raise awareness and ensure that people involved in the theft and purchase of stolen infrastructure were prosecuted.
However, Tegbe explained that the ministry did not have the statutory authority to prosecute offenders, making cooperation with the EFCC necessary.
“There are two areas where we need your intervention. One area is vandalism. There is a lot of vandalism going on in this country.”
He added that the ministry could report suspected offenders to the appropriate authorities for investigation, arrest and prosecution.
The minister also called for the EFCC’s intervention in tackling vandalism and energy theft, particularly cases involving companies that consume electricity without paying their bills.
He said the situation was contributing to substantial revenue losses in the power 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.”
Tegbe urged the EFCC and the Ministry of Power to strengthen their collaboration in investigating and prosecuting individuals and businesses involved in economic crimes affecting the electricity industry.
Responding to the minister, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede described vandalism and energy theft as major concerns, characterising them as revenue fraud and acts of economic sabotage.
Olukoyede pledged the Commission’s cooperation with the Ministry of Power to address the challenges.
He also proposed the introduction of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control measures across the ministry’s projects, including both abandoned projects and new developments.
“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.”
The EFCC chairman said a team would be established to analyse and audit some of the ministry’s projects as part of efforts to strengthen financial controls.
Olukoyede further assured the ministry that the EFCC would support the monitoring of ongoing projects, stressing the importance of preventing financial crimes before public funds were lost.
“We must not wait till monies are stolen particularly on sensitive projects. It is not going to be business as usual.”
The minister 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.
Tegbe expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the EFCC would help tackle criminal activities undermining the electricity sector and support efforts to improve power supply across Nigeria.
Tegbe also thanked the EFCC for its intervention in the legal dispute that had stalled the 215-megawatt Kudendan Power Plant project in Kaduna State.
He said the ministry valued the Commission’s intervention and expressed hope that continued cooperation between both institutions would help resolve challenges affecting critical power projects.
The proposed collaboration comes as the government seeks stronger measures to protect electricity infrastructure, reduce revenue leakages and address other criminal activities affecting Nigeria’s power sector.
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