The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating ten senior officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with an alleged N7.5 billion fraud.
Additionally, ten contractors associated with the purported fraud have been summoned by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, sent a letter dated April 26, 2024, to the NSCDC Commandant General, inviting the ten implicated NSCDC officers for questioning.
The officers were scheduled to be interrogated by the EFCC from May 2, 2024, onwards, according to documents obtained by our correspondent.
The officers summoned include Victor Olanrewaju Fayemi, Anthony Akpan Uwen, Patrick Babatunde, Comfort Danladi, Akibi Michael Olusola, Umaru Usman Karshi, Adewale Kukoyi, Joseph Ajayi Ibitulo, Mrs. A.A. Jonathan, and Paul Ahepa.
Related News: EFCC Apprehends Six NSCDC Senior Officers Over Alleged N6 Billion Fraud
The alleged fraud, amounting to N7.5 billion, is reportedly connected to various contractors, with funds traced to Bureau de Change operators through whom the senior NSCDC officers allegedly laundered the money.
Sources familiar with the matter, although not authorized to speak publicly, disclosed these details.
According to the sources, the EFCC’s investigation has revealed payments to twenty contractors, with significant sums allocated to three major contractors, each owning five companies.
These contractors received a five percent retention fee, and the EFCC has extended invitations to all contractors for questioning.
One contractor, a woman who received over N1 billion, has allegedly converted all funds to US dollars.
Furthermore, the EFCC has recovered approximately N1 billion based on useful statements provided by the indicted contractors.
Additionally, it was disclosed that some NSCDC staff members were underpaid for recent elections, compared to staff members in other agencies. Senior NSCDC officers are currently being interrogated by EFCC interrogators at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, following their handover by NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi.
Efforts to reach spokespersons for both the EFCC and NSCDC for comments were unsuccessful.
While the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, claimed unawareness of the situation, the EFCC’s Dele Oyewale could not be reached for a response.
Credits: Punchng.com
You can also read: ‘Oga at the Top’ Fame: Retired NSCDC Official Clarifies Promotion Decision