"Exclusive: TCN CEO Allegedly Bribes Power Minister with N290M Lexus SUV to Secure Office"

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Abdulaziz Ahmed Sule, has reportedly purchased a 2023 Lexus LX 600 model for the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, in an alleged bid to secure his position in office. 

The SUV, valued at N290 million, was purportedly acquired to influence the Minister and ensure that President Bola Tinubu does not remove Sule from his position. Sources revealed that Sule utilized funds from the internally generated revenue of TCN for this purpose.

Documents exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters detail the procurement process, indicating that the vehicle, with Chassis No. JTJPBACX6P4026917, was acquired from Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited through a contract agreement dated January 17, 2024, under the category "Procurement Of Vehicles For Management Staff (Lot 1&2)".

According to payment records, N261,103,961.25k was transferred to Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited's account with Fidelity Bank from TCN's account through the Central Bank of Nigeria on February 20, 2024. The payment reference number was 997617729, and the transaction took place at 09:05 am, with the batch number recorded as 15161.

A letter dated January 22, 2024, from Kaura Motors to the Managing Director of TCN, referenced KMNL/TCN/22012024/AI, acknowledged the procurement of vehicles for Management Staff (Lot 1&2) and requested payment. The letter, signed by Suleiman Umar on behalf of the Managing Director of Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited, emphasized the completion of the supply and solicited payment.

Sources familiar with the matter allege that the vehicle was acquired by Sule as a bribe to secure favor with Minister Adelabu, thereby safeguarding his tenure as TCN's Managing Director. Despite denials from TCN's communication manager, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, and subsequent calls by a media consultant named Oyofo Sule, concerns persist regarding the alleged corruption.

This incident adds to existing allegations of procurement irregularities against Sule. In November 2023, documents from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) revealed that TCN's MD/CEO violated the Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the award of contracts totaling N5,677,692,943.26.

Furthermore, the BPP flagged 33 contracts awarded by TCN under the emergency procurement method as violating procurement regulations. TCN's response disputed these allegations, insisting that all contracts followed due process.

As the investigation unfolds, questions regarding transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct within TCN's management continue to surface, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's energy sector leadership. 

(Source): Sahara reporter

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