EFCC Arraigns Suspects in ₦603 Million NNPC GMD Appointment Scam

EFCC Arraigns Suspects in ₦603 Million NNPC GMD Appointment Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two individuals over an alleged ₦603.4 million NNPC GMD appointment scam, in which they reportedly defrauded Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye by promising to secure her appointment as Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The suspects — Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho, the latter currently at large — faced an amended six-count charge before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, including fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and forgery.

According to the EFCC, between August and October 2024, the defendants allegedly obtained ₦603.4 million from Yomi-Sholoye under the false pretense of securing the NNPC GMD appointment. They are also accused of forging a document on the letterhead “Presidential Villa, State House, Office of the National Security Adviser” to legitimize the scam.

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One count states that Gidado Ibrahim knowingly used the forged document as genuine, an offence under the Penal Code Law.

During the hearing, Ibrahim pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Y. Tarfa requested that the court fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility, while defence counsel B. B. Alhaji asked that he be remanded in EFCC custody due to health concerns pending the determination of his bail application.

Justice H. Muazu adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that Ibrahim be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat Nigeria job fraud schemes and protect citizens from employment scams that exploit top government appointments, particularly in major institutions such as NNPC Limited.

EFCC Arraigns Suspects in ₦603 Million NNPC GMD Appointment Scam