EFCC Arrests Energy Commission DG Over Alleged N500bn Money Laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested the director-general of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, over allegations of money laundering involving about N500 billion.

Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was picked up in Abuja by operatives of the commission and is currently being held for interrogation.

A senior official familiar with the development said the investigation centres on alleged financial irregularities and suspected laundering of funds linked to the agency.

Although the EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest, insiders said investigators are currently tracking what they described as suspicious transactions and alleged diversion of public funds connected to the commission.

Details of the alleged financial misconduct and the specific pathways through which the funds were moved could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for official reaction were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not returned.

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

The Energy Commission of Nigeria is the federal agency responsible for coordinating national energy policy, strategic energy planning, and promoting renewable and alternative energy development across the country.

The development adds to a growing list of investigations involving senior government officials and heads of federal agencies over alleged corruption, abuse of office, and financial misconduct.

In recent months, the EFCC has intensified probes into public office holders across ministries and agencies as part of its wider anti-corruption enforcement drive.