News
Lawmakers Knock TCN over Inability to Explain Power Generation, Summon MD
•Allege three persons committed Nigerians to $33m monthly payment for Azura power deal
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday frowned at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) officials over their inability to explain the megawatts of electricity being generated by Power Generation Companies (GenCos), particularly the Azura power company.
The committee chaired by Hon. James Faleke (APC, Lagos) also picked holes in the $33 million being paid monthly to Azura, lamenting that two or three persons might have sat down to commit Nigeria to such agreement without commensurate value for money.
The federal government had signed series of agreements with Azura — namely the power purchase agreement (PPA) on April 22, 2013, the put/call option agreement (PCOA) on October 22, 2014 and the PCOA “direct agreement” on December 18, 2014, with a clause that the federal government would “take or pay” for power generated as declared by Azura, “whether or not it is taken by the government-owned transmission company.”
The Committee currently investigating the proposed sale of the Nigerian Integrated Power Project (NIPP) had at the investigative hearing last week, with the Managing Director of NBET, Nnaemeka Eweluka, TCN, and Federal Inland Revenue Service, lamented that Nigerians do not get value for the huge sum of money they are paying.
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At the resumed investigative hearing, the lawmakers while expressing concerns about the erratic power supply in the country, lampooned the three Directors from TCN, warning that their seats were in danger for failing to represent Nigerians.
Faleke who accused the TCN officials of not being ready to tell Nigerians the truth, said the officials were trying to twist issues relating to power generation by Azura power company
According to him, the TCN ought to know the number of electricity megawatt consumed per day.
Faleke said, “I am not confused. Transmission Company of Nigeria, first your MD took permission, according to you, to see the minister rather than coming to explain to Nigerians and to clarify issues. Market operator, if I understood your earlier statement that they have not been producing up to the 450 that was signed and they have justification for not producing up to that, in that case, will you say as a Nigerian that they have violated the agreement they signed?
“What you are telling Nigerians generally is that from the position you hold and being paid by taxpayers, you are not representing Nigerians and that your seat is already in danger.
“That is what you are telling Nigerians because you cannot even take an informed decision when it is necessary to take decisions on behalf of Nigerians. That is exactly what you have just exhibited.
“Why you are here before us was because you evacuate the power produced by Generating Companies, not only Azura. NBET was here on Friday and they will still be here tomorrow or so. So, it is not closed.
“We are only asking you from your own function as an evacuator of power, what power you have been evacuating from a 450megawwats generation company. We have not gone into other power generation companies. We have just picked one – not one.
“And do you know why we are concerned? We are concerned that Nigerians are willing to set up industries but there is no power, yet we are paying huge sums of money. This is just the issue, nothing more; not witch hunting. It is not about TCN; it is about Nigeria. So, all the questions that I have for TCN, I have to reserve them until your MD is here.
“There are other vital questions that this committee will want to ask. When the MD is seated, we will ask. Whatever position we have found ourselves, we are just opportune amongst 200 million people.”
Corroborating Faleke’s statement, another member of the Committee, Hon. Taiwo Oluga said, “If it is your document and we are arguing on it, whether it is megawatts or it is in kilowatts, an agreement has been signed on behalf of Nigerians in megawatts. Now you are presenting documents to the House in kilowatts/hour. So, Mr. Chairman, I will want to say that maybe these documents, they should re-present while we expect the chief executive to come and explain to Nigerians why $33m will be paid (to Azura) every month, yet we are not getting results.”
Another lawmaker, Hon. John Dyegh suggested that they submit the documents presented TCN to a consultant for a proper analysis.
The TCN Directors, Mr. Victor Adewumi, Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr Edmond Eje, Director Market Operations, and Mr Ogwu Benedict, in charge of Agreement, had in their presentations said Azura was supposed to generate 450 Megawatt and most of the time its generate lower.
In his ruling, Faleke summoned the Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, to appear before it unfailingly August 23.
Thisday
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One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta
One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta
One person has been killed and five others injured following a violent clash that disrupted a political procession organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in Asaba, Delta State.
The incident occurred at about 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, along Nnebisi Road, during a one-million-man march organised by supporters of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the casualties, disclosing that the identities of the deceased and injured persons had yet to be established as investigations commenced.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command said it had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence ahead of the procession.
According to the police, organisers of the rally were invited to a security meeting, where they were briefed about the identified threats and advised against holding an open-road procession.
The command said the organisers were encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
However, the police alleged that the organisers ignored the advice and proceeded with the procession.
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Following a distress call, police operatives were deployed to the scene and evacuated the injured victims to hospital for medical attention.
Security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, condemned the incident and reiterated that political parties were free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities across the state.
He, however, urged political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and liaise with the police ahead of political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements.
The command also appealed to members of the public with useful information about the incident to contact the police through 09155570008 or 09155570007.
Meanwhile, the NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the attack, alleging that the incident was an attempt to intimidate opposition supporters and disrupt its political activities.
Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North, Victor Ochei, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an immediate investigation and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.
Ochei alleged that more than 30 campaign buses were destroyed during the attack, accusing suspected attackers of being mobilised by individuals allegedly connected to the ruling party.
However, Delta APC spokesperson, Valentine Onojeghghuo, dismissed the allegation, insisting that the NDC had provided no evidence linking APC members to the incident.
He described the accusation as baseless and urged the opposition party to embrace peaceful political engagement.
The Delta State Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, Favour Emerue, also alleged that the gathering was peaceful before suspected hoodlums disrupted the procession, leaving some participants injured.
In a separate reaction, Peter Obi condemned the reported attacks on his supporters and NDC members in Delta State, calling on the state government and security agencies to investigate the incidents and bring those responsible to justice.
The latest violence has renewed concerns about the safety of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The police have assured residents that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the clash and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
One Killed, Five Injured as Violence Disrupts Obi-Kwankwaso Rally in Delta
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Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity
Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity
ABUJA – Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will begin to improve within the next 48 to 72 hours as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to address the challenges responsible for the recent power outages across parts of the country.
Tegbe gave the assurance in an update on the country’s power situation amid growing complaints from electricity consumers over prolonged blackouts, particularly in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister attributed the worsening electricity supply to a combination of planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station, inadequate gas supply to some thermal power plants and sabotage of critical transmission lines.
According to him, the challenges have reduced the volume of electricity available on the national grid, forcing grid operators to implement load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall.
He explained that maintenance activities at Egbin Power Station, one of Nigeria’s major electricity-generating facilities, had contributed significantly to the reduction in power generation.
The minister also identified gas supply constraints affecting some thermal power stations as another factor responsible for the decline in electricity generation.
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Tegbe further alleged that sabotage of key transmission lines had restricted the use of alternative routes for supplying electricity to some locations, particularly Lagos.
He said the Federal Government was working with relevant operators to address the challenges and restore the affected generating units in phases.
“My team and I are working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.
“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the hardship caused by the outages, noting that the disruptions had placed considerable pressure on households and businesses in the affected states.
He apologised to electricity consumers experiencing the interruptions and thanked them for their patience, promising to provide further updates as efforts to restore supply progress.
The latest assurance follows growing public complaints over worsening electricity supply, with residents and businesses in several locations struggling to cope with prolonged outages.
The power crisis has also triggered disagreements between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Ikeja Electric over the causes of recent supply interruptions.
While Ikeja Electric had cited grid instability in explaining its inability to meet electricity supply obligations to some Band A customers, TCN disputed the explanation, attributing the decline largely to inadequate gas supply and reduced electricity generation.
Tegbe had earlier directed TCN, the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to address operational challenges contributing to the decline in power supply.
Nigerians will now be watching closely to see whether the promised improvement materialises within the 48-to-72-hour timeframe.
Power Outage: Tegbe Gives Nigerians 72-Hour Timeline as FG Moves to Restore Electricity
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NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest
NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over their alleged involvement in the establishment and operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in the state.
The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the establishment of an illegal drug laboratory and the unlawful transportation and distribution of chemicals intended for the production of methamphetamine, a highly addictive psychotropic substance.
The defendants were identified as 56-year-old Mexican national Jose Villa Ochoa; another Mexican, 40-year-old Carrera Loaiza Arturo; and four Nigerians, Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.
According to the NDLEA, Ochoa and the four Nigerian defendants were arrested on June 17, 2026, in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where operatives uncovered the clandestine laboratory.
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The second Mexican suspect, Arturo, was subsequently tracked down and arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria through the Lagos airport.
The agency disclosed that the defendants were accused of conspiring to operate a drug trafficking organisation and establishing a secret laboratory for the production of methamphetamine between December 2025 and June 2026 at different locations in Lagos and Oyo states.
They were also accused of unlawfully transporting and distributing chemical substances for the manufacture of the prohibited drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.
When the charges were read to them in a language they understood, all six defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their pleas, Justice Maha ordered that they be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan pending the commencement of their trial.
The court subsequently fixed January 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2027, for the trial.
In a related development, the NDLEA disclosed that three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators arrested over the alleged operation of a similar clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest hideout in Ogun State on May 16, 2026, had also been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The court reportedly rejected their bail application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
The latest development underscores the NDLEA‘s ongoing efforts to dismantle suspected international drug trafficking networks and prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for the illicit manufacture of dangerous narcotic substances.
The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced the arraignment in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026.
NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians Over Secret Meth Lab in Oyo Forest
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