The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ramped up its investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $35 million earmarked for a high-profile energy project in Brass, Bayelsa State.
The probe has drawn widespread attention, focusing on the role of a former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Timber Kesiye Wabote.
Wabote, who served as NCDMB boss from 2016 to 2023, was reportedly detained for the second time in two weeks on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation.
Sources within the EFCC confirmed that his travel documents have been confiscated to prevent any attempt to evade justice.
Additionally, operatives conducted a search of his Abuja residence in pursuit of further evidence.
The $35 million in question was meant to support the development of an ambitious Energy Infrastructure Park in Okpoama Community, Brass Local Government Area.
The project, which was a collaboration between the NCDMB and Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, was envisioned as a transformative initiative for the local economy.
Its components included a 2,000-barrel-per-day refinery, a jetty, gas and power plants, a data centre, and a tank farm.
Despite receiving full funding in December 2020, the project remains largely uncompleted, with Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, led by its Managing Director Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, accused of abandoning the site.
The EFCC alleges that the funds, amounting to $35 million, were misappropriated, leaving little tangible progress to show for the investment.
The detainment of Wabote signals the EFCC’s renewed commitment to addressing financial mismanagement in Nigeria’s public projects. By holding high-ranking officials accountable, the Commission aims to send a strong message about the consequences of corruption.
For now, the focus remains on unraveling the financial dealings surrounding the Brass Project and recovering any misappropriated funds.
The outcome of this investigation could not only impact Wabote’s legacy but also shape the narrative of accountability in Nigeria’s public infrastructure sector.
Observers are keenly watching as the EFCC digs deeper into this case, with many hoping it marks a turning point in the fight against financial malfeasance in government-backed projects.