EFCC detains Energy Commission DG Mustapha Abdullahi over alleged N500bn fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences involving about ₦500bn.

According to Punch Newspaper, a source within the anti-graft agency said Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday and is currently in EFCC custody.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the investigation centres on alleged large-scale financial irregularities said to run into hundreds of billions of naira.

“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He is in our custody. The funds involved are about ₦500bn,” the source said.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official confirmation of the arrest, while efforts to reach its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as of press time.

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

Details surrounding the circumstances of the alleged offences and the scope of the investigation remain unclear.