Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering linked to about ₦500 billion.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that he was picked up in Abuja on Wednesday and is currently being held by the commission for questioning.
A source within the EFCC told Punch that the case involves large sums of money suspected to have been handled in a way that breaks financial laws. The source also said the amount under investigation is around ₦500bn.
The anti-graft agency has not yet released an official statement confirming the arrest.
Mustapha Abdullahi was appointed as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu on October 24, 2023.
In other news, the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over allegations of abuse of office and the diversion of public funds.
The commission asked members of the public with information about her location to report to any EFCC office through the contact details provided in the notice.
According to the EFCC, the former minister is 52 years old and comes from Zamfara State. The agency also listed her last known address as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja.
Umar Farouq served as minister between 2019 and 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.