Tag: Alleged Corruption

NMDPRA, NUPRC chiefs quit, as Tinubu names new regulators

Aminu Imam
NMDPRA, NUPRC chiefs quit

President Bola Tinubu has initiated a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory landscape following the resignation of the chief executives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC). The President has formally asked the Senate to confirm new heads for both agencies, according to separate letters transmitted yesterday, and disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Engr. Farouk Ahmed resigned as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, while Gbenga Komolafe stepped-down as…

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Coalition of CSOs demand immediate removal of NMDPRA CEO

Aminu Imam
CSOs on NMDPRA CEO

…Announces nationwide, global protests A powerful coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has declared joint nationwide protests across Nigeria, with simultaneous demonstrations in New York and London, to demand the immediate removal of Farouk Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA). The protests will commence today Wednesday, from Ahmed’s office in Abuja and continue throughout the week in major cities, while diaspora actions target the UN House in New York, and Nigeria House in London. The coalition includes: the Nigerian Citizens for…

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Alleged corruption: Ɗangote seeks probe of NMDPRA MD over $5m Swiss school fees

Aminu Imam
Ɗangote seeks probe

Chairman of Ɗangote Industries Ltd., Aliko Ɗangote, has accused the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, of corruption, alleging that he spent about $5 million on secondary school education for his children in Switzerland. Ɗangote, who made the claim on Sunday during a media briefing at the Ɗangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lekki, Lagos, described the alleged spending as excessive for a public servant and a threat to public trust in regulatory institutions. Ɗangote claimed that Ahmed paid the amount…

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Alleged corruption: ‘Ministers, top Govt. officials under investigation’ – CCB

Aminu Imam
CCB on investigation

The Code of Conduct Bureau, (CBB), says it is investigating corruption cases involving former ministers, current top government officials and senior public office holders at both federal and state levels. The CCB Chairman, Dr. Abubakar Bello, who disclosed this yesterday in an interview in Abuja, said: “We have started investigating high-profile individuals. There is a former minister we have already taken to court. “Right now, we are investigating another former minister and also a serving top government official. I won’t mention names because we are still at the investigation stage.…

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Alleged $14.8m fraud: EFCC declares ex-minister, Timipre Sylva ‘wanted’

Aminu Imam
EFCC declares Sylva

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva, as ‘wanted’ over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. The EFCC said the former Governor of Bayelsa State is wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery. The announcement follows a November 6, 2025, warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court.  The EFCC…

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Corruption allegations: Lawyers storm Villa, NASS, demand NMDPRA boss probe

Aminu Imam
Lawyers on NMDPRA probe

About 500 public interest lawyers yesterday stormed the Presidential Villa and National Assembly with a petition demanding the immediate probe, sacking and prosecution of Ahmed Farouk, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA). The lawyers and members of some civil society organisations (CSOs) have been protesting for days, demanding immediate investigation of corruption allegations against Ahmed. They are equally demanding his sack and prosecution over the alleged offences, which include abuse of office and conflict of interest. The lawyers cited grave allegations…

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“My husband never stole Nigeria’s money” – Maryam Abacha 

Aminu Imam
Maryam Abacha

Widow of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Maryam, has rejected long-standing allegations that her late husband looted billions of dollars during his time in office, insisting there is no credible evidence to support the claims. Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Mrs. Abacha challenged the narrative surrounding her husband’s legacy and questioned the basis of the accusations. “Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any monies stashed abroad?” she asked. Maryam Abacha also claimed…

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$3bn Refinery Scandal: EFCC arrests sacked MDs, traces ₦80bn to one account 

Aminu Imam
EFCC arrests sacked MDs

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has arrested former managing directors and top officials of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries over an alleged multibillion-dollar fraud involving the rehabilitation of the plants. Those detained include former heads of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company. The EFCC is probing the alleged mismanagement of $2.95 billion earmarked for the revamp of the facilities. A breakdown of the funds under investigation shows $1.56 billion allocated to the Port Harcourt refinery, $740 million to Kaduna…

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Alleged Money Laundering/Theft: Court denies el-Rufai’s aide Sa’idu bail; sends him back to prison 

Aminu Imam
Court on ex CoS Sa’idu

The Kaduna State High Court has adjourned the bail hearing of Alhaji Bashir Sa’idu, former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, to tomorrow, Thursday.  Sa’idu, who is also the former Commissioner for Finance in the el-Rufai administration, has been remanded in custody.  He faces 10 charges related to alleged money laundering, embezzlement and theft. The charges, brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accuse Sa’idu of selling $45 million in state funds at an undervalued rate, resulting in a loss of ₦3.96 billion to…

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Alleged Corruption: Ex-Bank of China Chairman sentenced to death

Aminu Imam
Ex Bank of China Chairman

Former Bank of China Chairman, Liu Liange has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting significant bribes and issuing illegal loans.  The Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in Shandong Province delivered the verdict on November 26, 2024.  Liu was found guilty of taking bribes amounting to 121 million yuan (approximately $16.7 million) and approving illegal loans worth 3.32 billion yuan, leading to losses exceeding 190 million yuan.  His sentence includes the confiscation of all personal assets and a lifetime deprivation of political rights. The court’s ruling includes the…

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