“I Was Misled,” Says Tejuosho, Socialite Wanted Over Alleged Appointment Scam

A Nigerian businesswoman and social figure, Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, has denied allegations that she masterminded a multi-million naira appointment scam, insisting instead that she was herself deceived by a man who allegedly posed as a powerful security operative with direct access to Nigeria’s Presidency.

Tejuosho, who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, made the claims in a lengthy personal statement detailing how she allegedly became involved in a scheme built around promises of federal appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In the statement, shared by Tope Fasua, Tejuosho described herself as both a victim and intermediary in a network of alleged fraudulent transactions tied to high-level government positions, including ministerial appointments, the leadership of NNPC Limited, and other strategic offices.

According to her account, the events began in November 2023 after she was introduced by a former Nasarawa State official to a cleric, Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir, who later connected her with one Malam Ibrahim Gidado, also known as “Sarkin Yanma.”

She alleged that Gidado presented himself as a senior intelligence operative attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, with influence within the Presidential Villa and the nation’s security architecture.

Tejuosho claimed that after she expressed interest in securing a federal appointment, Gidado demanded ₦10 million in cash as mobilisation and security screening fees.

She said she later paid another ₦50 million equivalent in dollars after being informed that arrangements had been made for her to meet the President.

According to her, the promised presidential meeting never took place as Gidado allegedly claimed at the last minute that the President had travelled on urgent national assignment.

She further alleged that discussions later shifted toward securing ministerial and agency appointments, with Gidado reportedly proposing a humanitarian-related ministerial role for her.

Tejuosho stated that Gidado demanded $1 million for the appointment and insisted on an upfront payment of $800,000. She said she eventually paid $500,000 in cash across several instalments between January and February 2024.

The businesswoman alleged that Gidado later encouraged her to source other wealthy individuals interested in federal appointments, assuring her that several top government positions were vacant or about to become vacant.

She said some of the offices discussed included the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited and Senior Special Assistant positions within the Presidency.

According to the statement, several individuals subsequently became involved in the transactions.

One of them, identified as Sani Dantanko, allegedly paid ₦80 million in connection with the Managing Director position at Niger Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, while another individual, Yakumut Alhassan, reportedly paid ₦50 million for a ministerial appointment.

Tejuosho also alleged that a businessman, Osita Opara, paid ₦10 million in pursuit of an appointment as Senior Special Assistant on Ecological Matters.

A separate transaction involved a woman identified as Mrs. Sholoye, who allegedly sought the position of Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited and reportedly paid ₦585 million in instalments after meetings with Gidado in Abuja.

Part of the funds, Tejuosho claimed, was allegedly designated for media campaigns, logistics and mobilisation of Niger Delta youths to protest against the then leadership of NNPC as part of efforts to influence a leadership change.

She maintained that all the money received from interested candidates was eventually remitted to Gidado, who allegedly instructed that funds should pass through her bank accounts because he could no longer personally handle transactions due to the “sensitive” nature of his duties.

To protect all parties, Tejuosho said she insisted on a written agreement, which she claimed Gidado signed, acknowledging receipt of funds and agreeing that refunds would be made if appointments failed to materialise.

However, she said the arrangement collapsed after official government appointments were announced in late 2024 without any of the promised positions going to the individuals involved.

According to her, pressure mounted for refunds and Gidado subsequently became unreachable.

Tejuosho said one of the aggrieved parties later petitioned the EFCC, leading to her invitation by investigators on December 31, 2024.

She stated that she cooperated with investigators, submitted a statement under caution and filed a counter-petition against Gidado, whom she described as the mastermind of the alleged scheme.

The businesswoman further claimed that shortly after being granted administrative bail in February 2025, she developed severe health complications, including a brain tumour, diabetes and hypertension, which left her incapacitated for months.

According to her, her lawyers repeatedly informed the EFCC of her medical condition and inability to appear physically for questioning.

She also alleged that requests to travel abroad for urgent treatment were declined by the anti-graft agency, forcing her to seek medical care within Nigeria.

Tejuosho disclosed that she was later informed that Gidado had been arrested by the EFCC in November 2025, though she said she remained too ill at the time to participate directly in subsequent proceedings.

The EFCC has not yet issued an official public response to the claims made in her statement.