Abuja
House Of Reps Panel Probes N200bn CBN Loan To DisCos
House Of Reps Panel Probes N200bn CBN Loan To DisCos
House of Reps panel probes N200bn CBN loan to DisCos. The lawmaker said the programme was to be implemented in three phases to reduce collection losses and improve market remittances in the industry.
The House of Representatives will investigate the disbursement and utilisation of the N200 billion Naira Central Bank of Nigeria loan for the National Mass Metering Programme to Electricity Distribution Companies.
The chairman of the Committee, Uchenna Okonkwo (LP-Anambra), revealed this in a statement on Wednesday, as a 19-member committee had been inaugurated for the purpose.
According to him, it is on record that NMMP was introduced in 2020 by CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and other key stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
He explained that the aim was to help manage conflicts between energy users and distribution companies and to facilitate the elimination of arbitrary billing, closing metering gaps, and improving network monitoring within NESI.
The lawmaker said the programme was to be implemented in three phases to reduce collection losses and improve market remittances in the industry.
“Under the pilot phase of the programme’s implementation, CBN commenced with the sum of N59.280 billion for procurement and installation of one million meters in 2020 at an interest rate of 9 per cent after a two year moratorium.
“Preliminary research on the NMMP has shown that, instead of the pronounced amount of N59.280 billion for the phase 0, what was released was N55.4 billion for procurement and installation of 962,832 meters instead of one million meters pronounced by CBN,” said Mr Okonkwo.
He added, “Research has also shown that what the eleven Electricity Distribution Companies who received the loan has paid back to CBN as refund for the N54.4 billion they received in 2020 without mentioning the nine per cent interest on the loan.

Reps
“This calls for explanation as to how the fund managers handled the NMMP for national interest. Also of concern the phase 1 of the NMMP which CBN and Deposit Money Banks (DMBS) were to fund for procurement and installation of 1,500,000 meters, as well as, the phase 2 of NMMP which the World Bank was to fund for procurement and installation of 4,000,000 meters has not been addressed.”
Having considered the effect of the above situation on the nation’s economic and social development, as well as transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, the house relying on its powers contained in Sections 88(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, decided to set up Sub – Committee to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of the N200 billion naira CBN loan for NMMP to DISCOs, he said.
Abuja
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.
TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.
In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.
Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.

Peter Obi
He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.
Abuja
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.
“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.
“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.

Tinubu
According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.
It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.
Abuja
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.
The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.

Police
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026
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