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NLC raises alarm over alleged N20bn ‘emergency’ contract scam in TCN
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised the alarm over what it described as an alleged plan to siphon nearly N20 billion from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through questionable “emergency refurbishment” contracts.
The Labour Centre warned that the move could cripple Nigeria’s power transmission infrastructure.
In a letter dated March 1, 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Power, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused some officials within TCN of orchestrating what he called a “large-scale heist” under the cover of urgent procurement.
The labour body said the alleged scheme involves inflated contracts, duplicate procurement of equipment and the overstocking of consumables at prices far above market value.
The letter said in part: “We write to you with grave concern of a labour movement watching a strategic national asset being systematically disemboweled.
“A group of officials have seemingly abandoned their oath of service in favour of a gluttonous rush to cash out and cause the company to collapse.”
According to the NLC, the proposed emergency refurbishment projects include several contracts running into hundreds of millions of naira for what it described as routine infrastructure work.
Among the examples cited is a proposed N191 million project to control erosion on transmission tower T89 in Ihovbor near Okada in Edo State, as well as N290.6 million for fencing and drainage at the Biu (Borno State) 132/33KV substation.
The union also pointed to another N226 million earmarked for work on a single tower at Etsako–Okpella–Ajaokuta in Kogi and Edo States and N239.5 million for related interventions, describing the figures as “highly questionable and inconsistent with fiscal discipline.”
The labour centre further alleged that there are plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgears in multiple batches from the same supplier at progressively higher prices.
The NLC warned that excessive procurement of consumables such as insulators, conductors and clamps could lead to waste and possible diversion of public funds.
The union said: “This is not procurement; this is money laundering disguised as grid expansion.
“These items will either be stored and left to rot or simply never delivered, with the proceeds shared among procurement officials and vendors.”
The labour body called on the Minister of Power to immediately halt all ongoing emergency procurement processes within TCN pending a comprehensive forensic audit.
It also urged anti-corruption agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the contracts and scrutinise officials involved in the procurement process.
In addition, the union demanded investigations into the alleged sale of land behind a TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja, as well as what it described as an irregular promotion plan involving a staff member hired in September 2021 who is allegedly being considered for appointment as Assistant General Manager in 2026.
“The grid will become a permanent patient in the emergency room, not because we lack the technology, but because the funds meant to heal it were stolen,” Ajaero warned.
The NLC said urgent action by the Federal Government was necessary to prevent what it described as the “bleeding” of TCN and safeguard the stability of Nigeria’s electricity transmission network.
Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.
US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf Sunday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend, warning that any Iranian attack boats that challenged the blockade would be destroyed.
The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier, with mediator Pakistan and Gulf state Qatar continuing calls for it to be respected as diplomatic efforts continue.
Guterres on Monday called on “all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the United States blocked passage through the critical waterway.
The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.
Iravani said the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a second letter, the UN envoy called on Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has distanced himself from recent media reports linking him to certain political aspirations, saying the comments were made without his knowledge or authorisation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said the remarks had been attributed to an unnamed individual described in media reports as his political associate, and that he had no hand in them.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement read.
“He did not authorise such comments.”
The disclaimer pointedly underscored El-Rufai’s reputation for speaking his mind directly, with the statement noting that he had been known throughout his public life for the frank articulation of his views.
“He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement added, warning that any future communication from the former governor would come directly from him or through his designated spokesperson.
El-Rufai did not identify the associate in question, nor did the statement specify the nature of the political aspirations that had been reported.
However, the swift and emphatic denial suggests the former governor was keen to prevent any impression that the comments reflected his current political thinking or intentions.
JAMB declares readiness for 2026 UTME, urges parents to protest admission violations
The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which the positions and affiliations of prominent political figures are under intense media and public scrutiny.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, remains one of the most closely watched political figures in northern Nigeria.
His next political move — including which party platform he may adopt ahead of 2027 — has been a subject of widespread speculation.
The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspected vandals involved in the destruction and theft of transformer components belonging to Yobe State Television at Garin Alkali Booster Station.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Command, the arrest was made on April 14, 2026, by its operatives stationed in Garin Alkali while acting on credible intelligence.
“The arrested suspects are Muhammad Auwali, a.k.a. Aburare, 51, Inusa Lawan, 53, and Hassan Ibrahim, 27, all of Bursari and Gashua axis, Bade LGA. One accomplice identified as Ozu, is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects criminally conspired and vandalised a transformer located at the YTV Booster Station, Garin Alkali, Bursari LGA.
“The suspects dismantled the transformer and sold part of the metal components”, it said.
The Command added that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to selling some of the vandalised transformer parts to Hassan Ibrahim for the sum of N250,000, out of which N150,000 had already been paid.
“Investigation is in progress, after which the suspects will be charged in court for prosecution”, the police command said.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kamfani Jibrin, in the statement, warned scrap metal dealers against purchasing suspected stolen items and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in protecting critical public infrastructure.
He stressed that anyone found involved in such unlawful activities will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
Iran slams US blockade as ‘grave violation of sovereignty’
El-Rufai distances self from comments on political aspirations attributed to associate
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