EKEDC board members overrule chairman, say Sanda remains MD

EKEDC board members overrule chairman, say Sanda remains MD

The board of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has nullified the reported termination of the appointment of company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr Tinuade Sanda.

Sanda was said to have been sacked by the chairman of EKEDC, Dere Otubu, allegedly in compliance with the orders of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

A replacement was immediately announced on Tuesday.

But Chairman, Legal and Regulatory Committee of EKEDC, Babor Egeregor, in a statement on Wednesday, the decision to terminate Sanda was unilateral and not approved by members of the board.

He said, “Let it be known that Dr. Tinuade Sanda remains the MD/CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company and has since her assumption of office as the MD/CEO, turned EKEDC around for good, with very great milestones and achievements which every sector player recognises.”

Part of the statement read, “It has come to my notice that by a letter dated 26th of March 2024, the Chairman of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Mr. Dere Otubu, purportedly terminated the Contract of Employment of Dr. Tinuade Sanda, the MD/CEO of EKEDC, allegedly in compliance with Orders/Directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“The said Order of the NERC, herein displayed, are unambiguous, incapable of, and unyielding to plural interpretations.

“There was nowhere in the Order where NERC requested the removal of any staff either seconded to or hired by EKEDC except those connected to the alleged fraud and negligence.

“In fact, NERC’s directives were issued to compel the Board of EKEDC, following picketing by the union and unrelenting Staff protests, to act appropriately in the face of a determined position of a majority of the Board members to cover up the alleged use of ghost workers together with the alleged fraud and protect Wola Joseph Condotti especially.

“Mr. Dere Otubu’s letter, therefore, was done in bad faith and in vengeful revenge against the MD/CEO for escalating the alleged fraud and issuing queries against one of his protégés.”