The Federal Government is moving forward with plans to establish an electricity offences tribunal to address the growing issue of electricity theft in Nigeria.
At a press briefing in Abuja, Aliyu Tahir, Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), announced the initiative. "We are working on setting up an electricity offences tribunal with an appeal system to expedite the handling of electricity-related offences," said Tahir. This tribunal will empower NEMSA's in-house counsel to prosecute such crimes more efficiently.
Tahir highlighted that the proposed tribunal, which has been communicated to the National Assembly, aims to streamline the enforcement process and hasten the prosecution of offenders. “The establishment of this tribunal will significantly speed up the prosecution process, allowing for quicker enforcement and sanctions,” he added.
The tribunal is intended to fast-track the adjudication of electricity theft cases, ensuring swifter justice and more robust enforcement of the Electricity Act. NEMSA has engaged with legislators to amend the Electricity Act to incorporate provisions for the tribunal.
In addition to the tribunal, Tahir reported significant progress in NEMSA's operations. The agency has tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters, ensuring their reliability and safety for consumers. Out of 13.16 million registered electricity consumers, 5.84 million have been metered, according to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
NEMSA, established in 2015, continues its efforts to inspect and certify electricity installations. As of the first quarter of 2024, NEMSA has inspected and tested 21,681 projects, certified 13,154 of them, and monitored 16,624 electricity networks. Additionally, 4,921 factories and public places have been inspected and certified fit, and 487 incidents have been investigated by the agency.
The strengthened enforcement capabilities under the Electricity Act 2023 have bolstered NEMSA’s mandate to ensure the safety and reliability of Nigeria's power infrastructure.
