The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has apprehended and detained a former presidential aide, Alwan Hassan, 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).

The reason for the petition that prompted the police summons remained unknown, as neither his associates nor the police have provided official clarification.

Hassan, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, was arrested after he honoured the police invitation.

According to Leadership, he arrived at the facility in the afternoon but had not been released as of the time of filing this report.

Hassan’s detention follows 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, 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.