EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have opened investigations into the management of a N12bn intervention fund released by the Federal Government to the Nigeria Football Federation.

The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to settle outstanding wages, allowances and bonuses owed to members of Nigeria’s national teams.

A source familiar with the investigation told journalists on Thursday that some officials connected to the matter had been invited by the anti-corruption agencies and had made statements.

“They have been under our radar before now. We invited some officials over to our offices, and they gave their statements. Presently, they are on administrative bail. We have not ended our investigation,” the source said.

The development came to light through a response issued by the NFF to a request for access to financial records and utilisation documents linked to the fund.

The response was contained in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the NFF General Secretary. The letter was dated August 18, 2026, and addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke.

The law firm had earlier written to the federation on August 7, 2026, with the correspondence received by the NFF on August 11.

The request, made under the Freedom of Information Act, sought financial records and other documents relating to the N12bn intervention fund reportedly released for the payment of players’ wages and bonuses.

The federation, however, declined to provide the documents, citing the ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.

“I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and your correspondence dated 7th August, 2026 but received on 11th August, 2026,” the letter stated.

“It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is subject of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

“Therefore, all documents relating to the request are before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.”

The Federal Government had announced the release of the N12bn in January 2024, shortly before the Super Eagles began their campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

A statement from President Tinubu’s Media Centre said the intervention covered outstanding salaries owed to coaches of the senior national team, as well as allowances and other payments due to several national teams.

“President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12bn outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others,” the statement read.

“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coaches’ salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, women’s teams, and U-20 national team.”

Despite the intervention, complaints over unpaid allowances and bonuses have persisted within Nigerian football.

In November 2025, the Super Eagles reportedly refused to train in Rabat, Morocco, before a crucial 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon. The players cited unpaid allowances dating back to 2019, including payments linked to achievements such as qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup play-offs.

In April 2026, reports also emerged that members of Nigeria’s 2023 and 2025 Flying Eagles teams were demanding about N1.5bn from the NFF.

The amount reportedly covered qualification bonuses for six major tournaments as well as pre-tournament camping allowances accumulated over about 65 days.

The latest investigation comes amid wider concerns over the management of Nigerian football. The Super Falcons recently failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the Super Eagles also missed the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, who assumed office after his election at the federation’s congress in Benin City in September 2022, is seeking another term at the proposed September 27 elective congress.

His administration has faced increasing criticism, although the NFF board has denied claims that the National Sports Commission is seeking to halt the election and establish a normalisation committee to oversee Nigerian football.

Efforts to obtain comments from the EFCC and ICPC spokespersons, Dele Oyewale and John Odey, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

By Uzair Adam

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded Maryam Isah Shehu, a final-year student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), in prison custody following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged cyberbullying offence.

Shehu, who is also identified as a Kano-based blogger, was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on an amended charge dated August 20, 2026.

In the charge, the EFCC alleged that Shehu, on or about June 21, 2026, intentionally published a message on her Instagram account, @maryam_shehu, which the Commission said was aimed at damaging its reputation.

The EFCC alleged that the publication claimed that its officials assaulted one Ahmed Uthman on the instruction of a zonal director who allegedly received N20 million from one Usman Iya Abbas.

The Commission said the alleged publication amounted to an offence under Section 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and is punishable under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the amended law.

The amended charge was signed by Elizabeth Alabi of the EFCC’s Legal and Prosecution Department.

The case followed allegations raised by Shehu regarding the conduct of some EFCC officials.

According to human rights lawyer Abba Hikima, Shehu was arrested in Kano and subsequently taken to Abuja after making allegations of corruption against officials of the Commission.

Hikima said Shehu was not arrested over allegations of stealing, fraud or money laundering, but in connection with a publication she made concerning the EFCC and its officials.

He further alleged that she had spent more than 30 days in EFCC custody before being brought before the court.

An account of Thursday’s proceedings indicated that Shehu had already spent close to 30 days in detention before her arraignment.

Following the proceedings, Justice Abdulmalik ordered that Shehu be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending further proceedings. She is to remain in custody until August 31, 2026.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Human rights lawyer and activist Abba Hikima has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of detaining Kano-based blogger Maryam Shehu for more than 30 days without charging her with an economic or financial crime.

Hikima made the allegation in a post on his verified Facebook page, saying Shehu was arrested in Kano and subsequently detained by the EFCC in Abuja after she allegedly raised corruption concerns involving some EFCC officials.

According to the lawyer, Shehu is not accused of stealing, fraud, money laundering or any other economic or financial crime. He also alleged that an EFCC official lured her with a business proposal before her arrest and transfer to Abuja.

Hikima further questioned the EFCC’s handling of the matter, arguing that the agency should not simultaneously act as complainant, investigator and judge in allegations involving its own officials.

He called for Shehu to either be charged before a competent court if she committed an offence or released to allow an independent investigation into the allegations against EFCC officials. He also appealed to human rights organisations to intervene in the case.

“Investigation is not punishment,” Hikima said, while calling for Shehu’s release or prosecution.

The EFCC had not responded to the accusations at the time of filing this report.

The allegations by Hikima could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress has questioned the independence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after President Bola Tinubu directed the agency to return to court and withdraw its order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

The opposition party said the President’s directive had raised concerns about the extent of executive influence over the anti-corruption agency.

Tinubu had on Thursday ordered the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the state government’s accounts.

The President said the commission acted within its legal powers but faulted the timing of the action, which came days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Tinubu said he felt “deeply embarrassed” by the development because actions taken by federal agencies are often associated with the presidency. He also said no action should create an impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the outcome of the election.

The EFCC had earlier defended the freezing of the accounts. The commission said it was investigating alleged mismanagement of ecological and intervention funds by the Osun State Government and had detected suspicious transfers during the investigation.

The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, also described the action as a routine measure and rejected claims that it was politically motivated. He cited a similar restriction placed on the accounts of the Edo State Government before its 2024 governorship election.

Reacting to the President’s directive in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the decision but said Tinubu’s explanation had created additional questions.

“What we find most curious about the statement is the President’s repeated reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts,” he said.

“In all of its public statements on this matter, the EFCC never once claimed that it had obtained a court order. The commission consistently defended its actions on the basis of its statutory powers and what it described as its ‘preventive mandate’.

“At no point did it inform Nigerians that a court had authorised its actions. The obvious question, therefore, is: where did the President obtain the information that a court order existed? If such an order exists, why was it never mentioned by the EFCC in its statement while defending one of the most controversial actions it has taken in recent times?

“If no such order exists, why would the president introduce one into the public narrative? It is either the president was misinformed or he had chosen to misrepresent the facts. Either possibility is deeply disturbing.”

The ADC also said the President’s admission that he directed the EFCC to withdraw the matter from court appeared inconsistent with claims that anti-corruption agencies operate independently.

“The President also insists that he does not interfere in the operational activities of anti-corruption agencies, yet in the same statement he publicly announces that he has directed the EFCC to approach the court, vacate the alleged order, and discontinue its case,” Abdullahi said.

“If the President possesses the authority to direct the EFCC to withdraw from court proceedings because the political consequences may affect an election, then it follows that he possesses the authority to direct the commission in other operational matters as well.

“The net implication is that the carefully cultivated argument that these agencies operate entirely independently collapses under the weight of the President’s own statement.”

The dispute comes less than two weeks before the August 15 Osun State governorship election, which has heightened political attention around actions involving the state government and federal institutions.

The ADC said the circumstances surrounding the account freeze and the subsequent presidential directive required further clarification from the Federal Government and the EFCC.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate a court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action just days before the state’s gubernatorial election.

The President issued the directive on Thursday, August 6, 2026, following the EFCC’s successful application for a court order on August 5, freezing the state government’s accounts.

In a statement from the State House, President Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the development, though he clarified that his discomfort was not with the EFCC’s statutory mandate but with the timing of the agency’s action.

“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” the President stated.

Tinubu emphasized his deliberate policy of non-interference in the operational activities of investigative and prosecutorial agencies, describing strong democratic institutions operating within the confines of the law as indispensable to good governance and the rule of law.

However, the President noted that while he had not been fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC’s decision to approach the court, the timing was “inauspicious,” warranting his intervention.

“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election,” Tinubu stated.

The President directed the EFCC to “immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government.”

The intervention comes as political tensions rise in Osun State ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election, with opposition parties and civil society groups closely monitoring federal agencies’ activities in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the bank account of the Osun State government, citing ongoing investigations into alleged fraudulent handling of public funds totalling N11 billion.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over suspected mismanagement of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

According to the EFCC, several state officials, including the Accountant General, have already been interviewed by investigators as part of the probe.

The Commission explained that the freezing order became necessary after it observed “precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds” from the state’s accounts to various suspicious corporate entities beginning August 2, 2026.

“The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” the statement read.

Acknowledging the timing of the action, which comes ahead of the state’s governorship election, the EFCC maintained that its preventive mandate supersedes political considerations.

“The Commission cannot watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged,” the statement said, adding that it would be “uncharitable” to use the upcoming election as an excuse to abandon its legally-assigned functions.

The EFCC further disclosed that it is monitoring the finances of other states similarly, noting that several state governments are currently on its investigative radar.

“The Commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians,” the statement emphasized.

The anti-graft agency urged the public to disregard “false narratives and deliberate demonization” of its work, insisting that the account freeze was implemented to protect public funds from being looted.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a major legal triumph with the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the landmark judgment on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, ruling that the anti-graft agency had conclusively proven that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the Commission successfully demonstrated that the properties were not acquired through legitimate sources of income, paving the way for their permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.

The court’s decision marks a significant milestone in the EFCC’s ongoing crackdown on high-profile corruption cases involving public officials.

While the exact value of the forfeited properties has not been disclosed, sources close to the investigation indicate they are spread across prime locations in Abuja and other major cities.

Malami, who served as Nigeria’s chief law officer from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has yet to publicly respond to the court ruling.

EFCC spokesperson, in a brief statement, described the judgment as a “vindication of the Commission’s diligent investigative efforts” and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to recovering all assets illegally acquired through public office.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued an urgent public warning to all citizens regarding a new wave of cybercrime targeting mobile phone users. In a notice released by its Cyber Crime Department, the anti-graft agency cautioned that fraudsters are exploiting the recent rollout of 5G services to defraud unsuspecting victims.

According to the EFCC, scammers are calling individuals under the guise of updating their SIM cards from 4G to 5G. During these calls, the criminals request a One-Time Password (OTP) from the victim, claiming it is necessary for the “update.”

The Commission emphasised that this is a fraudulent ploy, stating: “PLEASE, DO NOT provide the OTP sent to you.” The EFCC explained that once a victim shares the OTP, the miscreants can immediately gain access to their bank accounts and transfer all available funds to their own accounts.

The agency reiterated that while the commencement of 5G services is a known fact, citizens should remain vigilant and treat any unsolicited request for personal verification codes with extreme suspicion.

The EFCC has urged the public to share this information widely to prevent others from falling victim to the scam. The notice specifically warns, “please don’t tell if any stranger asks for OTP.”

As digital banking expands, law enforcement continues to advise citizens that legitimate service providers will never ask for sensitive security codes over the phone. Anyone who receives such a call is encouraged to ignore the request and report the incident to the authorities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Some victims of the devastating flood that struck Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over the alleged diversion of relief materials and funds meant for affected residents.

The petition, dated June 26, 2026, was submitted through I.U. Wali Law Firm on behalf of Isah Abubakar, Hussaini Umar Kwangila, Bilyaminu Umar and other residents of Mokwa LGA.

The flood disaster occurred on May 29, 2025. The incident displaced more than 3,000 residents and claimed about 200 lives.

Following the tragedy, Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced a donation of N2 billion and 20 trucks of grains from the Federal Government to support affected communities. Several organisations and individuals also donated cash and relief materials.

However, the petitioners alleged that the donations did not reach many of the intended beneficiaries.

In the petition addressed to the anti-graft agencies, the residents claimed that officials responsible for handling and distributing the donations mismanaged the support meant for victims.

They further alleged that more than one year after the flood, the donated items and funds had not been “utilised effectively to the benefit of victims”.

The petition accused the Niger State Emergency Management Agency of including names of its staff members among beneficiaries of the cash support.

“Some of the victims were shortchanged as opposed to what they should receive, and some of the victims did not receive anything at all,” the petition reads.

“In fact, some persons who benefited from the relief items were not victims of the flood incident, while some are not residents or natives of Mokwa town. In summary, the donations have been marred by corrupt practices.

“The Niger State Emergency Management Agency compiled a list of flood victims for the distribution of money into their bank accounts.

“The list, which emanated from NSEMA, which is available in the public domain, contains the names of persons that were not affected or victims of the Mokwa flood.

“So, in essence, some people that aren’t affected by the Mokwa flood were listed among those to be compensated, while some victims were not included.”

The petitioners called on the EFCC and ICPC to investigate officials of NSEMA, Mokwa Local Government Area, members of the local organising committee and other persons involved in managing the donations.

They also urged the anti-corruption agencies to examine the list of beneficiaries, identify irregularities and recover any diverted funds or relief materials.

By Uzair Adam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, Inspector Ali Baffa, alongside two other suspects over an alleged attempt to smuggle unprocessed gold bars valued at more than N4.4 billion through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC disclosed that Baffa was apprehended on Thursday during a routine surveillance operation at the airport.

According to the commission, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of gold bars inside his trousers with the intention of handing them over to passengers travelling to foreign destinations.

The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of Aushabu Nasidi, who was allegedly responsible for supplying the gold bars.

EFCC said Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including Saudi Riyals, Turkish Lira, Kuwaiti Dinar, Philippine Peso, Australian Dollars, Chinese Renminbi, Algerian Dinar, Hong Kong Dollars, Hungarian Forint and Sudanese Dinar.

The anti-graft agency also arrested Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, who allegedly delivered the gold to Nasidi.

During interrogation, Dan Zaria reportedly confessed to smuggling approximately 40.2 kilograms of gold between June 1 and June 11, 2026, using the same method.

The EFCC stated that all three suspects remain in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.