‎DSS, NELMCO Frustrating Lawful Probe, Says Policy Group

‎DSS, NELMCO Frustrating Lawful Probe, Says Policy Group
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‎The Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) of obstructing an ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets.
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‎Speaking at an emergency press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, APPA alleged that the Managing Director of NELMCO, Mojoyinoluwa Dekolu, invited DSS operatives to her office on Monday, and handed over two NELMCO staff members – Miss Lily Nene Emeya and Mr Innocent Akpa – claiming they were leaking official information to the association.
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‎APPA’s National President, Chief Princewill Okorie said, “These two staff members were detained by the DSS on the grounds that they are supplying APPA with information used as evidence in the ongoing House investigation into NELMCO’s activities,”
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‎“It will not be wrong for us to state that the objective of this action is to get information to be used to frame us up as a strategy to obstruct the ongoing investigation,” he said.
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‎Okorie described the development as an attempt to silence whistleblowers and derail the probe. “From all indications, the plan of DSS now is to arrest our members so as to put us out of circulation so that the investigation will be frustrated,” he said.
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‎According to the group, Emeya has remained in DSS custody since Monday and legal representatives from Marcel Oru & Co. have repeatedly been denied access to her and Mr. Akpa. Their mobile phones have also been seized.
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‎APPA’s petition, which prompted the House investigation, was submitted on November 13, 2024. It raised multiple concerns about NELMCO’s operations, including its legal legitimacy, financial expenditures, and procurement decisions.
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‎“We questioned why a company set up as a special purpose vehicle under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 continues to operate in 2025 without a specific law backing its existence,” Okorie said.
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‎He also noted irregularities such as a reported N94.9m spent on a one-day training for 10 board members, the purchase of an office building for N1.7bn without legislative appropriation, and the establishment of regional offices in states with no federal power assets.
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‎APPA further called for scrutiny of NELMCO’s dealings with the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the National Council on Privatisation, the Auditor General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
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‎The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets began its inquiry into the matter on May 26, 2025, and had instructed NELMCO to respond to the allegations raised by APPA. The group said it submitted its counter-response to NELMCO’s defence and was awaiting the next hearing when the arrests occurred.
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‎“This is a democracy. The Freedom of Information Act and whistleblower policy exist to empower non-state actors to contribute to national accountability,” Okorie stated.
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‎“Any attempt to intimidate citizens or silence those working with the legislature should be seen as anti-democratic,” he added.
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‎APPA has called on the Director General of DSS to respect the rule of law by granting legal access to Emeya and Akpa and allowing bail in accordance with legal procedures. The group also urged the DSS to protect rather than punish whistleblowers.
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‎“We invite the power sector press to join us in demanding the immediate release of Emeya and Akpa. DSS must allow due process, protect whistleblowers, and support the House Committee in ensuring transparency in NELMCO’s operations,” he said.
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‎The House Committee on Public Assets is expected to continue the probe, which focuses on the accountability of NELMCO’s management of liabilities and assets from Nigeria’s defunct Power Holding Company since the sector’s privatisation in 2013.
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