Ossiomo Power accuses CCETC of lawlessness, as disruptions cost N1.5bn

The management of Ossiomo Power Company has raised serious concerns over what it described as continued unlawful activities by Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Ltd (CCETC), alleging that the actions have resulted in prolonged power outages and significant economic losses across host communities in Edo State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Jonathan Ukidi, director of communications, Ossiomo Power, condemned what he termed persistent disregard for the rule of law, corporate governance, and judicial processes by the firm. Ukidi alleged that since October 5, 2025, operations at the Ossiomo Power Plant have been repeatedly disrupted, including the unlawful disconnection of a 33kV transmission line supplying electricity to several communities. He claimed that the actions were carried out with the assistance of hired thugs, leading to extended power outages that have lasted for several months.

According to the statement, the disruptions have had far-reaching consequences, crippling businesses, disrupting healthcare delivery and education services, and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of residents who depend on reliable electricity supply for economic survival. The economic impact is significant,” Ukidi said, estimating direct losses of over N1.5 billion to the power plant alone, excluding indirect losses suffered by traders, manufacturers, and small-scale enterprises in affected communities.

He noted that at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic headwinds, such disruptions deepen hardship and undermine confidence in the ability of institutions to protect lawful enterprise. The company also expressed concern over alleged attempts by CCETC, working with elements of law enforcement, to gain access to Ossiomo Power Company’s bank accounts through what it described as an improper court process, despite an existing Federal High Court order in Abuja. Equally troubling, according to Ukidi, are claims that the firm failed to honour invitations from security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the development as a worrying signal for regulatory compliance and accountability.

“No corporate entity—foreign or local—should be permitted to operate above the law or disregard lawful summons with impunity,” the statement said. While reiterating Nigeria’s openness to foreign investment, Ossiomo Power stressed that investors must operate within the bounds of local laws, respect court orders, and prioritise the welfare of host communities. When corporate disputes escalate into actions that harm entire communities, the state has a duty to intervene decisively to protect infrastructure and preserve public trust in governance,” Ukidi said. The company called for an urgent and transparent investigation by relevant authorities, urging that all parties be heard and that sanctions be applied where wrongdoing is established. “Electricity is not a luxury; it is the foundation of modern economic life. Any action that deliberately undermines power supply is an attack on development itself,” Ukidi said, adding that affected communities deserve immediate relief and assurances that their welfare will not be subordinated to corporate disputes.