EFCC uncovers fraud Lagos project involving CCECC, oil firms, and phantom consultants in Red Line rail scheme under corruption investigation
EFCC uncovers fraud in Lagos project as Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency intensifies its investigation into a sprawling scandal linked to the Red Line rail initiative.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun interrogating top players, including a major Chinese construction firm, a controversial oil magnate, and a now-deceased middleman tied to a phantom consultancy deal.
The probe centres on a suspicious N1 billion payment made to Ocean Gate Energy Ltd., a low-profile oil and gas firm linked to Aisha Achimugu.
According to CCECC, which is handling the rail project, the funds were part of a N10 billion consultancy fee.
However, EFCC documents show that Ocean Gate is not a registered consultancy agency, raising immediate red flags.
The Nigerian people deserve to know what happened to that N1 billion.
Mr Lee, the financial officer of CCECC, is in EFCC custody. His travel documents have been seized, barring him from leaving the country.
During interrogation, company executives claimed the deal was brokered by a businessman who died two years ago, and now say they cannot trace the origin of the contract or explain Ocean Gate’s involvement.
“We are expecting to charge Mr Lee, CCECC, and Ocean Gate Energy to court very soon. The Nigerian people deserve to know what happened to that N1 billion,” said an EFCC official.
The anti-graft agency has also rejected behind-the-scenes efforts to suppress the case. A delegation from CCECC reportedly attempted to lobby the EFCC chairman but was turned away.
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With growing public scrutiny and mounting evidence, EFCC uncovers fraud Lagos project has become a symbol of Nigeria’s urgent need for greater accountability in infrastructure spending.
Source: Read more at gazettengr.com
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
