Sh*cking Scam Averted: EFCC Stops Fraudulent Transmission Line Installation

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed how the commission intervened in 2024 to prevent a contractor from executing a power project using fake and substandard transmission lines.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Olukoyede shared this on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit from the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Olusegun Adesayo, at the EFCC headquarters.

He explained that the contractor had already been mobilised by the Ministry of Power before the EFCC’s investigation uncovered the importation of counterfeit transmission materials. This prompted the commission to write to the ministry, recommending that the contractor be blacklisted.

“In 2024, we wrote to the Ministry of Power to blacklist a contractor after investigating and confirming that he imported fake and substandard power transmission lines for a contract awarded to him,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC chairman stressed that the intervention prevented potentially serious consequences for the nation, as the use of substandard transmission lines could have endangered lives and critical infrastructure.

Olukoyede assured the NEMSA team of the commission’s willingness to collaborate with the agency to strengthen accountability and compliance within the electricity sector. He emphasized that strict enforcement of rules and regulations would contribute to improving electricity supply across Nigeria.

“We believe that working together can improve electricity supply and ensure all stakeholders in the industry adhere to the laws and regulations guiding the sector,” he added.

He further highlighted that the EFCC’s mandate extends beyond financial crimes to include acts of economic sabotage. Olukoyede urged NEMSA to closely monitor procurement processes and contract management to prevent fraud, assuring the agency that the commission has the expertise to assist in investigating procurement and contract-related irregularities.

Earlier, NEMSA’s Managing Director, Olusegun Adesayo, explained that the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with the EFCC in ensuring safety standards in the electricity industry. He noted that NEMSA is responsible for enforcing technical standards and regulations to ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of electrical materials used nationwide.

Adesayo said the agency seeks cooperation with the EFCC in areas including intelligence sharing, investigation of substandard electrical materials, procurement irregularities, contract abuses, and regulatory enforcement.