NEWS
Edo CSO Speaks on Ossiomo Power Imbroglio
Edo Leaders of Thought, a civil society organisation, has lent its voice to what it called circulation of a faceless, unsigned, and poorly conceived document purportedly from Ossiomo Power Company.
In a statement in Benin City on Thursday under the signature of Coordinator, Edo Leaders of Thought, Momodu Adams, the CSO noted that ‘No credible organisation issues unsigned press releases.’
It asserted that ‘following the development, and in the spirit of transparency, our organisation undertook a private, independent investigation into the imbroglio between Ossiomo Power Plant and the Edo State Government. Our findings reveal troubling patterns of opacity, inflated costs, and questionable practices that demand answers.
‘From our investigations, it is clear that the Edo State Government has zero stake in Ossiomo Power Company Limited. The company is 100% privately owned. The challenges facing Ossiomo are purely internal and have also affected government and private subscribers alike, with the Edo State Government itself often being a victim of these disruptions.’
The group observed that ‘The arrangement between the State and Ossiomo was inherited by the present administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo. Though hailed by the immediate past government of Mr. Godwin Obaseki as an innovation, in reality, it was riddled with inflated bills, fluctuating tariffs, and deliberate opacity.
‘For the entirety of Mr. Obaseki’s tenure, Edo State Government facilities were never metered. Instead, they operated on post-paid estimated billing, under which millions of naira were paid monthly without verifiable evidence of actual consumption. Meters were only hurriedly installed in September 2024, immediately after the electoral defeat of his party and barely two months before he left office.
‘Between January and November 2024 alone, over ₦5 billion was paid to Ossiomo by the Obaseki administration for government establishments. Monthly charges ranged from ₦308 million to as high as ₦718 million. The highest bills, ₦673 million in September, ₦718 million in October, and ₦474 million in November, were incurred immediately after Obaseki’s party electoral defeat and just before his exit.
‘The tariffs were not only exorbitant but unstable. Records show that Ossiomo charged wildly fluctuating rates between ₦99.97/kWh and ₦236.78/kWh, with no consistency from month to month. By contrast, BEDC, a regulated distribution company, maintained predictable tariffs: ₦68/kWh until April 2024, later adjusted to ₦225/kWh.’
On the current state of affairs, the CSO stated that, ‘In contrast, Governor Okpebholo introduced reforms that changed the narrative. He ordered the installation of prepaid meters across government establishments, ending the opaque billing system. Today, government facilities pay Ossiomo an average of ₦199 million for every 45-day cycle, a drastic reduction from as high as ₦700 million monthly outflows under Obaseki. With prepaid metering now in place, consumption is verifiable, billing is transparent, and payments are reduced by over 75 percent.
‘Between January and November 2024 alone, the Obaseki administration paid Ossiomo over ₦5 billion. In contrast, within the first nine months of Governor Okpebholo’s tenure (December 2024 to August 2025), the State has spent only ₦1.55 billion on electricity providers; ₦1.2 billion to Ossiomo and ₦345 million to BEDC.
‘This disparity raises troubling questions. Why did the Obaseki administration deliberately refuse to meter government establishments for years? Why was Edo State locked into a billing regime where billions were paid without accountability? What was Obaseki’s true interest in Ossiomo, a private company, that justified such extraordinary state patronage? And why was the entire electricity supply of the State surrendered to one company in a manner that suppressed competition and transparency?
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‘Our independent investigation has also brought to light another poser: if, as Mr. Obaseki consistently claimed, his administration invested heavily in Ossiomo and offered the company an open hand of fellowship, why then were his government’s electricity bills 75% higher than what Governor Okpebholo now pays to the same company for the same service? This inconsistency suggests the existence of shadowy deals that the public is yet to be told.
‘As a civic organisation committed to accountability, we are compelled to insist that these issues be brought to light. Edo people deserve full disclosure. Transparency is not optional. It is the cornerstone of democracy and good governance.
‘The unsigned release currently in circulation only reflects the evasiveness that characterised Ossiomo’s dealings under the previous administration. Civil society and Edo citizens will not be distracted by such antics. What Edo needs, and what we must continue to demand is full transparency, prudent resource management, and the protection of public interest above private profiteering.’
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Thursday commissioned the 3.5km phase one of the Ila township road dualisation.
This was revealed in a government house statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday.
Speaking at the commission exercise, the Governor noted that the dual carriage is more than a road but a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people adding that the project alongside other township roads, market and health facility shows that this administration believes that development must get to the grassroots.
He added that his administration is opening Ila to more investments, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace.
“The dual carriage is more than a road. It is a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people. This project alongside other township roads, market and health facility shows that this Administration believes that development must get to the grass roots. Ila is a historic town, it is a center of learning, culture and commerce.
“With this dualised road, we are opening Ila to more investment, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace.
“We also know that this road connects Ila to other town, that is why we are also working on Intercity Roads to ensure Ila is not left behind in the Osun infrastructure agenda. Apart from this dual carriageway, my administration has equally completed over 7km length of intracity roads in Ila Orangun.”
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Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Tokunbo Salam stated that Gov Adeleke’s era is a landmark one. An era that will be hard to forget in the history of Osun State. He added that the road was constructed within 12 months as mandated by the Governor.
“Your Excellency, You will recall that, 12 months, 2 days ago, you were here to flag off this road and you gave us a mandate at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure that we have to finish this road within 12 months and we are here today for the commissioning of this road.
“Your Excellency, I believe people are counting because this is one of several projects and they are still counting. Your excellency, your era is a landmark era and era that will be hard to forget in the history of Osun State. What we have commissioned today never happened and in many other places never happened and history will never forget.
“What is happening is described as urban renewal and as we are renewing, this is the first phase of the road and the second phase of the road will be pronounced by His Excellency and I know that by the time he comes back for his second term, total transformation will come to Ila”, he stated.
Briefly describing the project before its commissioning, Director of Research and Planning, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Olalekan Salami explained that the Governor gave an approval for a 10km road to be executed in three phases, 3.5km for phase 1 and 2 and 3km for phase 3.
He said, “Your Excellency, you approved that the dualisation of Ila road should be 10km in length and phased into three and you gave us a mandate that the first phase be delivered within 12 months.
“Exactly 21st of July 2025, we were here to flag off this road, and we are here today 23rd of July 2026 for the commissioning of the first phase which is 3.5km”
“It is the intention of the Governor that this road will lead to the Federal University of Health Sciences, first phase of 3.5km is completed within 12 months, another 3.5km will be completed within the next 12 months and the last one will be 3km to complete the 10km dual carriageway.”
The Commissioning was witnessed by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Olukayode Oyedotun (Bibiire I), Members of the Imole Campaign Council as well as other members of the Executive Council and party Chieftains.
Former adult film actress Deyci Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, popularly known by her stage name Amaranta Hank, has made history after being sworn in as a senator in Colombia, becoming one of the country’s most talked-about political figures.
Ortiz secured the Senate seat following her victory in Colombia’s March elections on the platform of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition, where she campaigned for greater rights and legal protections for workers in the adult entertainment industry.
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According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the newly inaugurated lawmaker will represent the Norte de Santander region during the 2026–2030 parliamentary term after placing 23rd on the coalition’s closed electoral list.
The Historic Pact emerged as the country’s strongest political force in the election, winning 22.72 per cent of the Senate vote—more than 4.4 million ballots—to secure 25 seats, according to Colombia’s National Registry.
Before entering politics, Ortiz worked as a journalist before transitioning into the adult film industry. She has maintained that her previous career should not define her ability to serve in public office.
Responding to critics who questioned her suitability for office, Ortiz defended her candidacy in a TikTok video, saying:
“¿Por qué una mujer que estuvo en la industria para adultos no puede aspirar a un cargo de elección popular?”
The statement translates to: “Why can’t a woman who was in the adult industry aspire to a popularly elected office?”
According to Infobae Colombia, Ortiz believes women who have worked in the sexual economy make meaningful contributions to the country’s economy and deserve legal recognition instead of continued stigma.
Born in the city of Cúcuta, the senator said her legislative agenda will also focus on mental health, sexual abuse prevention, and broader social welfare reforms.
Her political rise follows months of public debate after she and fellow former adult film performer Juan Carlos Florián were appointed to positions in President Gustavo Petro’s Ministry of Equality, a move that sparked widespread discussion in Colombia.
Ortiz’s swearing-in marks one of the most closely watched moments in Colombian politics in recent years, with supporters describing it as a victory for inclusion and equal opportunity, while critics continue to question her unconventional path to public office.
A South African court has ordered a temporary halt to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the controversial $580,000 Phala Phala farm cash scandal, pending the outcome of his legal challenge against an earlier investigative report.
The Western Cape High Court ruled on Friday in favour of Ramaphosa, granting his request to suspend the parliamentary impeachment process while the court reviews a November 2022 independent panel report that concluded the president “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct.
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In his ruling, Judge Andre le Grange ordered that Parliament’s impeachment committee must not proceed with public hearings until the judicial review has been concluded.
“Pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review… respondents are interdicted from proceeding with a public impeachment hearing,” the judge ruled.
The controversy dates back to a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s luxury Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo Province, where thieves allegedly stole $580,000 hidden inside a sofa.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he reported the break-in to the police and that the money was the legitimate proceeds from the sale of 20 buffaloes.
The complaint was filed by a former South African intelligence chief and one-time ally of former President Jacob Zuma.
The complainant alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the robbery from both police and tax authorities and claimed the amount involved was as much as $4 million.
Despite mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding accountability, Ramaphosa has repeatedly ruled out resigning over the scandal.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, the South African president reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s constitutional principles and judicial system.
“The President will continue to cooperate with and abide by processes of accountability,” a statement from his office said, adding that he remains committed to respecting the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
The impeachment process had initially been rejected by South Africa’s National Assembly, where Ramaphosa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) held a parliamentary majority, effectively blocking impeachment proceedings at the time.
Although prosecutors dropped related charges in 2024, the Constitutional Court overturned Parliament’s earlier decision in May 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a parliamentary impeachment committee.
If the impeachment proceedings eventually resume, Ramaphosa would become the first sitting South African president to face such a process.
The High Court is expected to hear his application seeking to overturn the 2022 independent panel report in September.
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