Amanze Chinonye
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged financial crimes involving more than N500 billion.
Abdullahi was reportedly arrested in Abuja on Wednesday and is currently being detained by the anti-graft agency as investigations continue into alleged money laundering and contract-related infractions linked to the commission.
The EFCC had yet to issue an official statement on the development as the time of filing this report.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSources familiar with the investigation said the probe centres on alleged irregular financial transactions and contract awards carried out under the commission in recent years.
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President Bola Tinubu appointed Abdullahi as Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission in October 2023 following over a decade of service at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The arrest comes months after the Network Against Corruption and Drug Trafficking (NACAT), a civil society organisation, petitioned President Tinubu, the EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption within the Energy Commission.
In the petition submitted in December 2025, the group accused the ECN leadership of operating what it described as a “well-coordinated and brazen scheme” involving the award of solar streetlight contracts worth several hundreds of millions of naira to companies allegedly linked to the same individuals.
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NACAT alleged that five companies awarded contracts by the commission were all registered within the same week in late October and early November 2023, operated from similar addresses in Abuja, and allegedly shared common directors and ownership structures.
The group further claimed that Nigeria’s procurement laws were violated in the process leading to the award and payment of the contracts, describing the alleged actions as a betrayal of public trust.
The latest development adds to growing scrutiny over financial management and contract administration within federal agencies, particularly in the energy and power sectors.
The EFCC investigation is ongoing, and no formal charges had been announced against Abdullahi as of the time of this report.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
