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EFCC

Mustapha Abdullahi
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BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Energy DG, Mustapha Abdullahi over N500bn Fraud

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences involving an estimated N500 billion.

A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.

According to the source, the alleged fraud is linked to funds amounting to about N500 billion.

“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money involved is estimated at N500 billion,” the source said.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria on October 24, 2023.

Further details are expected later.

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Selah Mamman
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Court Sentence Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to 75 Years Imprisonment for Embezzling N33.8 Billion

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years imprisonment over a N33.8 billion money laundering and fraud case.

Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on 10 counts, while counts four and five attracted three years and two years jail terms respectively.

The court ruled that the sentences would run consecutively and without the option of a fine, except for count four, where the convict was given an option of a N10 million fine.

Justice Omotosho also ordered the forfeiture of foreign currencies recovered from Mamman, alongside four high-value properties in Abuja linked to the proceeds of the crime.

The EFCC had arraigned Mamman in July 2024 on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and conspiracy. The anti-graft agency accused him of collaborating with ministry officials and private firms to divert N33.8 billion earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

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Jerry Eze
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Money Laundering: ‘We investigated Pastor Jerry Eze for six months but..– EFCC

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed how he investigated the lead pastor of Streams of Joy International and convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers, NSPPD, Jerry Eze, for six months.
Olukoyede disclosed that EFCC investigated Eze for money laundering but found nothing against him.
The anti-graft agency boss spoke during the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award in Abuja.
He said: “Sometimes I wish we change the word church and mosque, while we adopt the phrase of an assembly of righteous people who have the spirit of God, rather than using a church.
“In church you have bishops and in mosques you have Imams and I tell you that I have a lot of them in my holding facility as I talk to you and I have a lot of them that are convicted for fraudulent practices, it’s so sad.
“I’m going to embarrass you today, I never felt like saying it but that is my little way of making my contribution.
“I investigated Pastor Jerry Eze for six months for alleged money laundering. We work by intelligence and petitions.
“There was an account where dollars and pounds were dropping like rain drops from Colombia, America, Sri Lanka, and even Togo. We investigated him but found nothing suspicious.”
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Headlines

Former NEXIM MD bags 490-year jail term

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

An FCT High Court has convicted and sentenced a former managing director of Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, to 490 years in jail over a N2.4 billion fraud.

Justice F.E. Messiri on Thursday sentenced Orya to 10 years imprisonment for on each of the 10-count charge after finding him guilty of the allegations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed the charge through its counsel, Samuel Ugwuegbulem.

Orya served as the managing director of NEXIM Bank from around 2009 to 2016, during which time he had been credited with efforts to refocus the bank on supporting non-oil exports and turning around its performance after earlier financial challenges.

The EFCC had brought the 49-count charge alleging that Orya fraudulently diverted funds amounting to about N2.4 billion.

 

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Tinubu
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Opposition Coalition Accuses Tinubu Government of Politicising EFCC Ahead of 2027

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political instrument to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The opposition leaders said the alleged selective application of anti-corruption laws by the EFCC and other security agencies undermines the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and erodes public confidence in state institutions.

The allegation was contained in a joint statement endorsed by the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Lawal Batagarawa; Bode George; Peter Obi; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.

Titled “The Weaponisation of the EFCC,” the statement accused the anti-graft agency of persistently targeting opposition figures for political advantage in favour of the ruling APC.

According to the opposition leaders, the trend reflects a past remark by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who once suggested that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have their past “sins” forgiven upon joining the APC.

They said the comment, whether made casually or deliberately, has reinforced a troubling perception that allegations against members of the ruling party are often ignored, while opposition figures are aggressively investigated and subjected to intense media scrutiny without proven evidence.

The coalition called for the immediate removal of political interference from the EFCC’s operations, stressing that the agency must function independently and professionally.

“The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not function at the behest of any president, political party, or faction,” the statement said.

The opposition leaders further urged the Federal Government to restore the EFCC to its original legal mandate, insisting that its responsibilities do not include selective prosecution or the harassment of political opponents.

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Headlines

JUST IN: EFCC Arrests Former Minister Chris Ngige in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have taken former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, into custody in Abuja.

The development emerged late Wednesday, creating fresh discussions around the former Anambra governor’s recent activities and public engagements.

According to information confirmed by close associates, EFCC officials arrived at Ngige’s Abuja residence on Wednesday evening and escorted him away for questioning.

Details surrounding the arrest remain sketchy, but sources familiar with the situation disclosed that the commission is probing issues linked to his time in public office.

Officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the reason for his detention.

The incident comes barely weeks after a disturbing attack on Ngige’s convoy in Anambra State.

That attack left two people injured, including a police orderly, while a passer-by lost his life. Ngige, however, was not in the convoy when the ambush occurred, raising questions about the motive behind the assault.

Security agencies in the state later said investigations were ongoing to track those responsible.

Earlier today, confusion spread across social media with claims that Ngige had been abducted from his home.

Those rumours prompted anxiety among supporters and residents familiar with his political history.

But the speculation was later addressed by Fred Chukwuelobe, Ngige’s former media aide during his tenure as governor.

In his words, “Ngige is with the EFCC. Former Governor of Anambra State and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, is with the EFCC.”

His short clarification helped dispel the abduction rumours and confirmed that the arrest was an operational move by the commission.

As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not provided additional information regarding the nature of the investigation or how long the former minister will remain in custody.

More details are expected as the EFCC concludes its preliminary interrogations.

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Headlines

JUST IN: EFCC seals Abuja residence of Timipre Sylva

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sealed the Abuja residence of Timipre Sylva, the immediate past minister of state for petroleum.

Julius Bokuro, special assistant on media to Sylva, revealed this in a statement on Monday, while criticised the agency over the sealing of his principal’s home.

Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa, is locked in a dispute with the EFCC over the probe of the $14.8 million meant for a refinery project in Brass LGA of the state.

In the statement titled “Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home”, Bokuro said the action was carried out without a warrant and without “even the most basic adherence to lawful process”.

His words: “It is behaviour unbecoming of any institution that claims to act in the national interest. What unfolded at the Maitama residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was nothing short of an affront to decency and a troubling assault on the very principles that underpin a civilised society.”

He said officers of the commission attempted to intrude into the home and spray-painted the walls with the words “EFCC — Keep Off”.

“Officers of the EFCC attempted yet another aggressive intrusion into his home and proceeded to spray-paint his walls in stark red, emblazoning the words ‘EFCC — Keep Off’ as though marking the property of a fugitive rather than the home of a respected statesman,” Bokuro said.

He added that Sylva’s children, relatives, and staff have been effectively encircled in the house for weeks.

“To violate such a place without warning, without justification is to inflict terror upon innocent people who have no connection whatsoever to political gamesmanship.

“This latest incident bears all the hallmarks of local political rivalry being misinterpreted, or mischievously presented, as federal instruction. It is a dangerous muddling of partisan ambition with national authority,” he said.

He warned that agencies must not be used as weapons in political contests.

His words: “Government agencies and parastatals must never allow themselves to become weapons in political contest. Chief Sylva has, for decades, served Nigeria with calmness, loyalty, and an almost disarming sense of patriotism,.

“From his stewardship of Bayelsa state to his contributions at the federal level and his continued, unwavering support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has remained dignified even when confronted with provocation. His commitment to this nation has never faltered,”

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EFCC
Headlines

Yahoo Boys Worsening Visa Restrictions For Nigerians – EFCC

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the growing wave of cybercrime is contributing to tougher visa restrictions for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said fraudulent activities not only endanger the future of perpetrators but also tarnish Nigeria’s image globally, leading to harsher travel conditions for innocent citizens.

Olukoyede, represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, spoke on Monday at an event organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by the commission on Tuesday.

According to the EFCC, crimes such as internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage drain billions of naira from the economy annually—hampering growth, stalling infrastructure development, and denying citizens jobs and opportunities.

Beyond financial losses, the commission noted, these crimes damage Nigeria’s international reputation and expose citizens to heightened visa scrutiny.

Olukoyede urged young Nigerians, particularly in the South-South, to redirect their creativity and skills into legitimate ventures in technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry.

“Fraud is not success; it is a trap. What comes easily often goes just as fast. Many who embrace cybercrime end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them, and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t ruin tomorrow with shortcuts today,” he cautioned.

The EFCC chairman also reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to intensify awareness campaigns, strengthen enforcement, and deepen community collaboration in the fight against financial crimes.

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Headlines

BREAKING: EFCC Grills Ex-NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, in its custody.

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that the former NNPC boss is being questioned over alleged financial improprieties during his tenure.

Kyari, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 2:15 p.m., was invited to answer questions on financial and technical transactions linked to the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance programme.

His interrogation comes weeks after the Commission placed him on its watch list, following mounting allegations of fraud in NNPCL operations under his watch.

It can also be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four bank accounts allegedly connected to Kyari, pending further investigations.

 

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Ogundele Fujimotto
Headlines

EFCC Declares Sujimoto CEO Olasijibomi Ogundele Wanted for Money Laundering

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Lagos-based businessman and real estate developer, Olasijibomi Ogundele, wanted over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.

In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and posted on its official X handle on Friday, the anti-graft agency urged members of the public with credible information on Ogundele’s whereabouts to come forward.

“The public is hereby notified that Olasijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of diversion of funds and money laundering,” the EFCC said.

According to the notice, Ogundele, 44, hails from Ori-Ade Local Government Area of Osun State. His last known address was listed as G29, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The EFCC called on anyone with useful information to contact its offices across the country, the nearest police station, or other security agencies. The Commission also provided a hotline (08093322644) and its official email address “info@efcc.gov.ng” for tips.

Ogundele, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction, is widely known for his upscale real estate projects in Lagos, particularly in Ikoyi and Banana Island.

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