Police Detain APC Chieftain Over Accusations Against Senate On Stalled Confirmation Of NERC Chair Nominee

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested and detained Alwan Hassan, a former presidential aide and convener of the Grassroots Initiative Concept, days after he publicly alleged that top Senate officials were blocking the legislative confirmation of Abdullahi Garba Ramat as chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Hassan, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, was arrested on Friday at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja after honouring a police invitation. Sources quoted by an online newspaper, News Point Nigeria, revealed that he arrived at the facility in the afternoon but had not been released as of the time of filing this report.

The specifics of the petition or allegations that prompted the police summon remained unknown, as neither his associates nor the police have provided official clarification.

LEADERSHIP reports that Hassan’s detention comes in the wake of his claims that Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin deliberately obstructed Ramat’s confirmation as NERC chairman despite the nominee being successfully screened by the Senate Committee on Power.

He accused the Senate leadership of “deliberate political obstruction,” adding that the delay in confirming Ramat, who was nominated by President Bola Tinubu, was driven by personal and political interests. Hassan further alleged that Senate officials demanded a $10 million bribe from NERC nominees before the confirmation could proceed.

The claims triggered widespread controversy and were swiftly rejected by the Senate, which described them as “baseless, malicious and defamatory.” Lawmakers insisted the screening and confirmation processes for the nominated NERC Commissioners were transparent and free of any wrongdoing, and they threatened legal action against Hassan for allegedly attempting to mislead the public and tarnish the integrity of the National Assembly.

As of press time, the police were yet to issue an official statement, leaving unanswered questions about the circumstances of Hassan’s arrest and whether it is directly linked to his public accusations.