By Dan Opara

Residents of Owerri metropolis in Imo State have continued to express deep concern over the persistent lack of electricity supply weeks after the official commissioning of the Orashi 15MVA, 33/11KV Injection Substation on February 6, 2026, or thereabouts.

The project was inaugurated by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, alongside the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and was expected to significantly improve electricity distribution across Owerri and its surrounding communities.

The substation was introduced as a pilot scheme aimed at providing uninterrupted 24 hour electricity supply to the city.

However, findings by ThePressman Newspaper indicate that electricity was supplied only for a few days after the commissioning ceremony.

Since then, several parts of the Owerri Metropolitan City have reportedly been plunged into darkness, with residents experiencing severe and irregular power supply.

The Orashi Injection Substation is equipped with a 15MVA power transformer designed to step down electricity voltage from 33KV to 11KV.

The facility was expected to strengthen the distribution network and enhance electricity access for households, businesses, and public institutions within the metropolis.

As of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, residents alleged that no electricity has been supplied through the facility by the Orashi Electricity Distribution Company, OEDC, contrary to the expectations that followed the commissioning of the project.

Meanwhile, many electricity consumers in Owerri have also described the power supply pattern of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, as highly unsatisfactory, noting that the situation has continued to affect economic activities and daily living across the city.

During visits to communities located near the Orashi Injection Substation in the New Owerri area, several residents who spoke with ThePressman Newspaper confirmed that the facility has not delivered any meaningful electricity supply since the commissioning ceremony.

The residents therefore called on the relevant authorities and power distribution companies to urgently address the situation and ensure that the project begins to deliver the promised benefits to the people of Owerri and its environs.

Nonetheless, all efforts made to reach the Imo State Commissioner for Power and Electricity, Chief Nwabueze Oguchienti, who has been actively involved in state projects aimed at improving power supply, including the partnership with Orashi Electricity Company, for his official reaction as of the time of filing this report proved abortive.

Repeated attempts by our correspondent to establish contact through available communication channels were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Commissioner remained unanswered.

As of press time, the Ministry had yet to issue any formal statement addressing the concerns raised regarding the situation.

However, it is expected that the Commissioner or other relevant authorities may provide clarification as developments unfold.

The United Arab Emirate, UAE’s, largest refinery has halted operations after a drone strike sparked a fire near the facility.

Sources familiar with the situation said the refinery was forced to stop operations following the incident.

The state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is currently assessing the extent of the damage at the Ruwais Refinery, which has the capacity to process about 922,000 barrels of oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries in the world.

The shutdown comes amid growing energy disruptions across the Persian Gulf, after Saudi Arabia halted operations at its largest refinery and Qatar shut down the world’s biggest LNG export facility following similar drone strikes by Iran.

Ekwutosblog reports that Iran faces sustained military pressure following a joint operation by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian military infrastructure.

However, Iran on its own has retaliated, launching attacks on many Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia Qatar Kuwait Bahrain, among others.

A Nigerian lawyer, identified as Atanda, has sparked discussions online after sharing guidance on what to do if someone attempts to use the police to collect a debt.

Taking to his Facebook page, Atanda clarified that owing someone money does not give them the legal right to involve the police in collecting the debt.

He explained that debt is a civil matter, not a criminal offense, and that the police are prohibited from acting as debt collectors.

The lawyer advised that if a police officer attempts to make such an arrest, the individual should calmly inform the officer that the matter is civil and request to see their identification.

If the officer insists on proceeding, he stressed the importance of complying without resistance and following lawful instructions.

Atanda also noted that signing any repayment undertaking requested by the officer does not make it enforceable in court, so there is no cause for fear.

After release, victims are encouraged to pursue legal action against both the creditor and the police officer for breach of fundamental human rights and unlawful detention, with potential claims for damages of up to 50 million Naira.

He wrote:

“You are owing someone money and the person brought Police to arr£st you, this is what you should do.

At first, the police have no legal authority to arr£st you for a simple debt, as it is a civil matter and not a criminal offense. According to the Police Act 2020 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the police are strictly prohibited from interfering in civil disputes or acting as d£bt collectors

Meaning that, the Police officer the person brought to arr£st you, is on ill£gal duty and is on a mission to perform ill£gal arr£st.

So at this point.

1. Ask the Police officer for his ID and take note of his name
2. Calmly tell the officer it’s a civil matter
3. If the officer insist on arr£sting you, don’t resist the arr£st. Follow him
4. If they ask you to sign any undertaking of when you will pay back, sign it

That undertaking is not enf0rceable anywhere, so no f£ar at all

Once you are out

File a suit against the person you owe and the Police Officer for breach of your fundamental human right and ill£gal arr£st with unlawful detention

In the suit, demand for damages of 50 Million Naira

Ignorance of the law is no excuse”

See below;