The power struggle at Eko Electricity Distribution Company appeared to be intensifying as the Legal Director, Babor Egeregor, claimed that Dr. Tinuade Sanda was still Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chairman Legal and Regulatory committee of the board and legal adviser, Babor Egeregor.
He debunked the claimed termination of employment of Sanda allegedly in compliance with the directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Distribution Commission, which he described as unambiguous, according to nairametrics.
He said, “Therefore, 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.”
The legal director had insisted that NERC in its order never called for the removal of any staff either seconded to or hired by EKEDC except those connected to the alleged fraud and negligence.
According to Egeregor’s statement, the current Management Board has been involved in a cover-up, and no removal of staff other than those connected with this fraud was requested by NERC directives.
“It has come to my notice that by a letter dated 26th of March 2024, the Chairman of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, 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.
“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 i.e., Wola Joseph Condotti, Sheri Adegbenro, and Aik Alenkhe.
“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,’’ Egeregor stated.
However, in the letter, it is reported that all staff working for the DisCo must be employed directly by Eko DisCo and not seconded.
“EKEDC is hereby directed to ensure that all staff working for the utility are employed by the utility directly, bound by applicable service conditions that are applicable to the employees of the utility and paid through the utility’s payroll.
EKEDC is hereby directed to return All existing WPG seconded that were involved in the loss of revenue to EKEDC in this matter be withdrawn back to WPG.
Other staff of EKEDC involved in this loss of revenue for EKEDC should be handled strictly in line with the Conditions of Service for EKEDC.” said NERC
According to the Director of Legal Director, the decision to dismiss Sanda was a “vengeful revenge” against the MD and CEO for escalating the alleged fraud. The director also stated that a member of the board representing the government via BPE “rejected” the removal.
He explained that “Mr. Dere Otubu’s letter, therefore, was done in bad faith and vengeful revenge against the MD/CEO for escalating the alleged fraud and issuing queries against one of his protégés, whom he has desperately sworn to protect by all means.
“As a matter of fact, the Ag DG of the BPE, representing the Government on the Board of EKEDC, vehemently rejected the attempt to cover up the alleged crime and insisted on compliance with the punishment prescribed in the Conditions of Service.”
