NBBF Presidential Hopeful Mustapha Clears Air On EFCC Allegations, Dismisses ‘Mischievous’ Claims

Dr Abdullahi Mustapha, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), has vehemently denied allegations of arrest and financial misappropriation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the claims as “rumours and mischievous write-offs” designed to distract him from his ambitions.

Mustapha described the reports linking him to an alleged ₦500 billion financial misappropriation as misleading, accusing unnamed individuals of spreading rumours to undermine his basketball federation presidential ambition.

Speaking in an interview, Mustapha said he was not distracted by the allegations, maintaining that the ECN operated under strict government financial regulations and did not generate its own revenue.

He explained that the commission was funded through federal government appropriations approved by the National Assembly, with expenditure tied to specific projects and subject to established procurement procedures.

“The Energy Commission of Nigeria does not generate any money. We are not a revenue-generating agency. We are funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria through appropriation,” he said.

Mustapha added that public funds were managed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation rather than held in an ECN account at his disposal.

He said contracts awarded by the commission had to comply with due process requirements, including the necessary approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), where applicable.

On the EFCC allegations, Mustapha acknowledged the commission’s authority to investigate individuals but maintained that an invitation for questioning should not be interpreted as an arrest or proof of wrongdoing.

“Yes, the EFCC has the right to investigate anybody. But what matters is the outcome of that investigation. I was never arrested,” he said.

He explained that he honoured an invitation, answered questions put to him by investigators and returned to his office afterwards.

“I was invited, I went, questions were asked, we answered, and I left. I returned to my office and continued working,” he added.

Mustapha also challenged the reported ₦500 billion figure, arguing that such an amount would be difficult to reconcile with the commission’s funding and project-award history.

Using a 20 per cent margin as an illustration, he said contracts worth about ₦25 trillion would be required to account for ₦500 billion at that rate.

He further questioned whether the ECN, established in 1989, had ever awarded projects on such a scale.

The NBBF presidential hopeful said the allegations had gained widespread attention through media reports but argued that the claims should be assessed against verifiable facts rather than speculation.

He also insisted that the commission’s work and achievements had received insufficient attention, despite its role in developing energy policies and long-term planning for Nigeria’s energy sector.

Mustapha cited the National Energy Policy and National Energy Master Plan, which he said were unveiled in 2024, as significant milestones in efforts to establish a clear direction for the country’s energy sector.

He maintained that the commission’s responsibilities centred on energy planning, policy development and providing a framework for the sector’s development.

The ECN director-general said such achievements deserved recognition alongside scrutiny of allegations against public officials.

He insisted that the allegations would not derail his ambition to lead the NBBF, maintaining that he remained focused on his plans for Nigerian basketball.