SaharaReporters reported on January 14, 2024, that EKEDC or Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) had been accused of covering up for top-level officers linked to ghost employee fraud.
An acting Principal Manager of Community Relations/CSR of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ayiwe Peter, has written the board of the company over what he described as an “Avalanche of Maladministration and Miscarriage of Justice in EKEDC”.
In the exclusive report, an investigation showed that there is a dark web of corruption going on in the organisation, which involves top management staff members. The staff members linked to the infractions were accused of aiding ghost workers in the company and earning millions of Naira from the dubious dealings.
Sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity revealed that the exact amount of money the management staff members fleeced the company could not be ascertained. However, they said it would be between N150 million and N300 million with a hefty chunk of it linked to one Wola Joseph, the EKEDP’s Chief Legal Officer (CLO).
However, petitions by Ayiwe Peter, an AG Principal Manager Community Relations/CSR addressed to the Chairman/Board members of the electricity company, dated February 13, 2023, and December 18, 2023, respectively, called on the Board to investigate the “mismanagement of the company by the present management”.
Lamenting irregularities and fraudulent activities in the company, the petitioner alleged that the Chief Auditor and Compliance Officer (CACO), Mrs Sherry Adegbenro in connivance with the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr Aik Alenkhae, had continued to pay salaries to exited staff from the company amounting to millions of naira, a development that threatens the well-being of the company.
In the petitions obtained by SaharaReporters, the petitioner reminded members of the Board that as someone who had invested over 35 years in the industry and whose source of livelihood was dependent on the company, he was obliged to point out anomalies involving the present crop of management staff members whom he accused of threatening to ruin the company, citing a recent award ceremony held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island among others.
According to him, the concept of an award ceremony is to encourage, motivate and bring out the best potential to attain higher productivity in human capacity, but according to him, regrettably, “award ceremonies organised in the past and the one herein by reference falls short of the essence of the reasons for awards.
“It fails to meet the real objectives of the award ceremony,” he said.
“This is because the award is swayed to favourites and cronies of high-profile management staff to the neglect of the staff that deserves the awards; mostly the foot soldiers of the commercial department (EFRs) staff, lines crew members, and the general maintenance staff that defiles the odds daily to ensure the sustainability of uninterrupted power supply and cash collection.”
He claimed that “the majority of the awards were given to those that sit in the comfort of air-conditioned offices, playing with their computers and top management staff that occasionally go out in the guise of monitoring the field officers in the districts.
“It amounts to a negating meritocracy for mediocrity and nepotism as excellence is thrown overboard,” he observed, warning that such mismanagement must be checked if “enthusiasm of staff to put in their best must be encouraged and sustained”.
On the issue of promotion, the petitioner alleged that only cronies and favourites of the top management are favoured with promotions against due process, competence and seniority.
Citing a case of one Mr Equere Imoh (HR Mushin District), he said the staff member met all promotion requirements for over three consecutive annual appraisal exercises but was deprived. According to him, Miss Ruky Toje (ag. HoD L&D) Human Resources/Corporate Services, headquarters, Marina, had gotten “annual promotions up to Principal Manager (PM) for the simple reasons begging to be justified”.
He said, “This is one of the many other cases of staff whose promotion had been stifled after three or more appraisals, despite their evident devotion and track record of dedication, diligence, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“Another case is that of a staff who had resigned from his position as a manager Billing department to truncate imminent probe of his integrity but was called back by this management to head the same department (Acting AGM) despite other qualified senior staff (PM) who did not withdraw their service.
“How does the management justify the award given to Mrs Ejiro Olaleye, except for the simple reason that on each of her returned overseas trips she is known to give gifts of bags, shoes, and perfumes to Mrs Rekhiat Momoh? A staff that is scarcely found in the office.
“Staff are seriously grudging and questioning the place of sane administrative ethics in this management.”
Peter stated that since “Mr Evans (MD Southglo) mentioned to Mr Godwin Sule Idemudia Rtd (GM Corp. Comms.) and myself at different occasions that he gave money to Mrs Momoh Rekhiat and Mr Samuel Edoho in an ongoing case of extortion in false pretence by Mr Evans (MD Southglo), it is enough grounds for both not to be considered in the acting capacity of CCO and GM not to think of confirming them in the position of administrative ethics is anything to go by.”
He begged members of the Board to thoroughly investigate the case where about N7 million was allegedly illegally paid as salaries to a DSO who was absent from work for more than two years.
“This occurred despite a clocking machine that is in place that ought to be reviewed by Audit to track such irregularities,” he said.
He also revealed that the Chief Auditor and Compliance Officer (CACO) illegally used the company’s financial resources indirectly to fund selected audit staff Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Examination fees, claiming that it was a training fee.
“There are arrangements by CACO and trainer (Reoblue) to include examination fees that are supposed to be paid by individual staff, not EKEDC, as part of training fees. EKEDC does not pay for examination fees for staff but pays for training, conferences, and seminars,” he said.
He challenged the CACO and her team who took CFE exams to provide direct transfers or proof of payments that were made by individuals to the Institute or trainer for those who had been qualified as CFE for the past five years.
He also accused the CACO of sheer nepotism, adding that she brought one contract staff member, “Lekan Anuoluwa, as EFR (a former student IT in CACO’s office) at Ajele who was sacked due to illegal extortion cases. This same Lekan’s mother runs a contract in EKEDC for CACO.”
He added that since 2016, work in internal control had continued to suffer setbacks as many experienced new and old staff members had been frustrated out of the department due to “nepotism and lack of human managerial skills.”
He said, “In all companies in the world, Auditors are always busy with the strengthening mechanism and reviewing internal control measures put in place by management not acting drama at commercial retreats or being over-involved in social engagements.”
He expressed fear about what would become of the company with the persons of “Mrs Sheri Adegbenro (CACO), Mrs Rakhiat Momoh (Ag. CCO) Mr Samuel Edoho (Ag. GM Revenue circle) were left at the helm of affairs of management to continue in like capacity”.
“It will be considered a disservice to the Directors, stakeholders, and owners of the company that have been paying salaries to sustain me and my family all these years if I fail to alert them of the great risk of the persons indicated if they are left to continue to direct the affairs of the company.
“I suggest that a thorough investigation be carried out to verify all that I have stated with a view to instilling discipline in the company,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to get the reaction of the EKEDP General Manager, Corporate Communications, Babatunde Lasaki were unsuccessful.
He did not answer calls to his mobile line or reply to a text message sent to him.
When contacted by our reporter, Mrs Sheri Adegbenro said, “You can go to the office and meet her there. Thank you,” and hung up.
When Mrs. Rakhiat Momoh was contacted, she said, “Please go and read the report again, Mrs. Momoh’s name was not there. Thank you.”
When Mr Samuel Edoho was contacted for his reaction, he said: “I am on vacation, I’m not supposed to talk about this.”
