Adelabu Denies Sahara Reporters’ Claim Over Alleged Corruption-Funded Mansion

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has strongly denied allegations by Sahara Reporters that he built a lavish new mansion within two years of his appointment, allegedly funded by corruption amid recent electricity tariff hikes.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sahara Reporters accused the minister of flaunting a “corruption-powered extravagant lifestyle” and claimed that the mansion was constructed during his tenure, linking it to public outrage over rising electricity costs.

The allegation quickly gained traction online, with critics citing it as an example of insensitivity during a period of economic strain.

However, Adelabu, through his media office, dismissed the claims as false, mischievous, and calculated to tarnish his reputation. He clarified that construction of the property began in November 2021 and was completed in August 2023, a month before his appointment as Minister of Power in September 2023. According to him, the project was not a new development but a redevelopment of an existing house originally built in 2010.

To back his defence, Adelabu provided dated photographs, official building approvals, and correspondence to verify the timeline.

He insisted that no public funds were involved in the construction and demanded a retraction from Sahara Reporters.

The controversy comes at a time when Adelabu is already facing public criticism over steep electricity tariff hikes, particularly for Band A customers. His recent comments urging Nigerians to manage power consumption by turning off appliances when not in use sparked further backlash.

Despite the minister’s explanation on the property timeline, the social media debate around the allegations continues to generate mixed reactions.