Secrets Reporters
The redeployment of two senior officials from the Delta State Ministry of Energy to the Office of the Head of Service, alongside the recent change of commissioner heading the ministry, has intensified controversy surrounding an ongoing probe into the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP). Insiders say political connections, rather than due process, may have influenced the outcome.
A circular dated 27 January 2026, issued by the Office of the Head of Service, announced the immediate transfer of Mr Austin Unabor and Mr Frank Nwaebo U., both Deputy Directors (Electrical), from the Ministry of Energy to the Office of the Head of Service. The letter did not cite any disciplinary reasons or reference any ongoing investigation.
However, sources within the ministry and the wider civil service disclosed that the redeployments are linked to unresolved questions over suspected financial losses and alleged corruption associated with the IPP. These losses are estimated by insiders to run into hundreds of millions of Naira and potentially several billions over a number of years.
According to the sources, Mr Nwaebo, despite being fifth in the departmental hierarchy, was central to the operational handling of IPP power distribution. It was disclosed that he worked closely with IPP operators to divert excess power, already paid for by the state to private consumers without a clear remittance structure to the government. Although the arrangement reportedly collapsed after residents of private estates protested against high tariffs, it drew renewed attention to the scheme.
Beyond the financial allegations, sources also raised concerns over personal conduct and lifestyle. An official told SecretsReporters that Mr Nwaebo is alleged to own multiple high-value properties, including real estate in Lagos, as well as properties in Canada and the United Kingdom, allegedly acquired through practices linked to the IPP project.
“The question many people are asking is simple,” the source said. “How does a career civil servant acquire properties in Lagos, Canada and London, yet remain untouched, while others are sacked over far smaller sums?”
Mr Unabor, according to the same sources, is alleged to have squandered funds on women and to have engaged in inappropriate relationships with married women. Insiders claim these allegations were widely known within the ministry but were never formally investigated. “There were repeated complaints, but nothing was done because of who he was close to,” a source said.
It was further alleged that both officials benefited from proximity to influential political figures, which sources say influenced the decision to quietly redeploy them rather than suspend them or place them on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations.
The handling of the matter contrasts sharply with previous disciplinary actions by the Delta State Government, where several civil servants were summarily dismissed over an alleged ₦200 million infraction in another department. “In that case, people were sacked almost immediately. Here, officials linked to far larger figures are merely redeployed,” one source said.