Again, power minister sacks NBET boss, names replacement

The Federal Government has again sacked Marilyn Amobi from office as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc.

Amobi, who was replaced by the company’s General Counsel and Secretary, Nnaemeka Eweluka, was in December 2019 removed from office after the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, ordered her to vacate the position.

But in January this year, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), overruled the dismissal of Amobi as NBET’s boss in a memo issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in which the embattled MD was directed to return to office.

After the return order, NBET was reportedly moved from the Federal Ministry of Power to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

But on Monday, the power minister again announced the dismissal of Amobi, ordering her to hand over to the agency’s new managing director.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Aaron Artimas, the power minister stated that the removal of Amobi was part of the reorganisation process in the sector.

The statement read in part, “In furtherance of the reorganisation/realignments in the power sector, the Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, announces the appointment of a new Managing Director for the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, Plc.

“He is Dr Nnaemeka Eweluka, the company’s General Counsel and Secretary. He is to succeed Dr Marilyn Amobi, as substantive Managing Director/CEO, while the former MD is to hand over and proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect.”

The statement added that Buhari had earlier approved the recommendation to this effect.

It said, “Eweluka, a lawyer, comes to this position with over 21 years’ experience, spanning private practice, academics and the power sector.”

According to the statement, the new NBET boss is a specialist in privatisation and legal energy reforms as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration.