There are fresh indications that the lingering boardroom crisis in Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) may be far from over as fresh facts emerged that allegations of corruption among others are issues confronting the top management of the utility firm.
On March 25, the Board had relieved its Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. Tinuade Sanda of her duties with immediate effect and announced Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh as the acting CEO with effect immediate effect
A letter addressed to Sanda and signed by the EKEDC Chairman, Mr. Dere Otubu, titled: ‘‘Implementation of NERC Directive on Seconded Staff dated March 25, 2024, stated that NERC has directed the EKEDC, to ensure that all staff working for the utility firm are employed directly by the utility and are bound by service conditions that are applicable to the employees of the utility and paid through the utility’s payroll.
In the letter to Sanda, Otubu said EKEDC was obligated to obey the directive due to the powers of NERC as stipulated by the Electricity Act of 2023.
‘‘In compliance to the above directive, all seconded staff of West Power and Gas (WPG) Limited are being released by EKEDC and returned to WPG Limited.
“You are hereby relieved of your role, office and position at EKEDC, effective immediately and returned to your employer, WPG Limited.
“You are directed to handover to the highest ranking staff of EKEDC under you.
“We hereby record our appreciation of your valuable services and contribution to the growth and success achieved by EKEDC over the years as a seconded staff from WPG,’’ the statement noted.
But, in a dramatic twist, the Director/Chairman, Legal and Regulatory Committee of EKEDP, Babor Egeregor, released a statement insisting that Sanda remained the disco’s CEO/MD and that her removal and replacement with Momoh by Otubu, are not in agreement with the directive of the NERC.
However, findings revealed internal correspondences of the Chairman of WPG Ltd, Mr. George Etomi, Otubu and members of the board and the management which bordered on a recall of a staff, ghost workers and modalities for the investigation.
A mail sent to Mr. Wole Joseph-Condotti on December 5, 2023 by Etomi, had recalled Joseph-Condotti. It was titled: “Letter of recall from your position as Chief Legal Officer (CLO) in Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDP) pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.
However, Otubu in a letter dated same December 5, 2023 asked Joseph-Condotti to ignore the letter of recall from Etomi.
It read: “Dear Wole, I was copied in a letter from the Chairman of WPG dated December 5, 2023 recalling you from the position of Chief Legal Officer to Eko Disco. Kindly disregard this letter in its entirety.”
Eko Disco will continue with the process of looking into the matter. Eko Disco MD who is copied should note accordingly.
But in another mail sent to Otubu, Etomi expressed shock at Otubu’s letter to Joseph-Condotti and insisted that the rights to recall and or discipline staff are consequential rights of WPG as the CLO’s employer. He insisted that the letter of recall to the CLO constituted standard practice in such cases, pending the conclusion of the investigation and determination of the matter.
Part of the letter read: Kindly be aware that the issues that have necessitated the recall are very grievous and nothing whatsoever should be done to condone or cover them up. Without prejudice to whatever action you want to take, WPG will go ahead to conduct a full investigation into the matter and I advise all our nominees on the EKEDC Board not to lend themselves to any cover up.
“The instruction to recall stands and ignoring it will be at the peril of whoever does so.”
On December 6, 2023, Otubu in a letter to Etomi expressed surprise at the turn of events.
He wrote: “I’m kindly surprised at your letter as I had spoken to you on why your “letter of Recall” should never have been issued in the first place and was therefore disregarded.
“I had pointed out to you that it was clearly improper for you to “singlehandedly” issue instructions of such significance on behalf of WPG and on a matter that relates to you without wide consultations.
“Furthermore, these instructions are to officers in a separate company “Eko Disco, with significant government shareholding and its processes, Issuing threats to Eko Disco staff is kindly ill advised and of no value. I would therefore kindly request you to allow us the space to conduct the investigation properly.”
Etomi in a letter n to Otubu dated December 6, 2023 opened more can of worms.
Part of the letter reads ‘‘Let me remind you that when you spoke to me it was more about how this matter can be suppressed and I told you very clearly that I would not stand for that.
Another mail from Simon Ani to Ernest and Otubu on December 13, 2023 shed more light to the ongoing squabble.
He wrote partly: Ernest you have a good point and I agree with you, but you will also note that Etomi has called for a WPG meeting on December 19 and this matter is already listed on the agenda. And in one of Etomi) mails, to Otubu, George has already said he will recuse himself/ But your point was in order.”
“Chairman Otubu, I am sorry to say but honestly, I think your mails are ill-advised and inappropriate for two reasons. WPG has written earlier this year to all of us Directors on Eko Board, clarifying that we are there representing WPG’s interest.
“WPG employed all senior management. Joseph-Condotti is one of them. And under the O&M Agreement, WPG has overall supervisory responsibility for Eko.The moment we undermine constitutes authority, we also in the process create room for our own authority to be undermined.”
Again, Otubu in a mail dated Dec 28, 2023 to Tunji Olowolafe titled” Terms of reference for investigation committee’ wrote: Dear Chairman HR, I refer to the directive of the board for the HR Committee to investigate the allegations made against the CL, Pls find attached the terms of reference.
But Egeregor in a mail same day expressed divergent opinions to the mails on ‘Terms of reference for the investigation committee.
On January14, 2024, Otubu wrote to Sanda ‘‘I acknowledge receipt of your message about the information and petition of ghost workers as published in an online medium. Kindly note that as MD, your primary responsibility is to protect the company from attacks such as this. You are kindly instructed to take action and protect the integrity and image of the company, the directors, shareholders and all stakeholders from such attacks.’’
In response, Sanda on January 15, he replied: “Thank you for your below mail, and trusting this email meets you well. As the MD, I have at all times taken steps to ensure the protection of the company’s integrity and brand, which was why I initiated the ghost workers queries in the first place after I was alerted by a whistleblower within the company and did some investigations.
“There can be no doubt whatever of my understanding of the MD’s role and my consistent defence of the company at all times, whether in crises such as the present matter or in relation to NERC or any other party. I always protect the integrity and image of the company at all times and continue to do so unflinchingly.
“However, it is clear that the staff are anxious to know how the matter will be investigated and decided. This has been their clamour since this matter was escalated to me in November 2023.
“There is a feeling of resentment amongst staff at the way the company handled previous instance of job abandonment for a relatively small amount, yet here, a senior officer has been accused on a similar issue, and for such larger sums of money, yet no visible actions. There is a strong and growing perception of injustice and double standards.”