The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Timber Kesiye Wabote, the former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). This comes after an investigation into an alleged $35 million fraud related to the Brass Project.
Wabote, who led NCDMB from 2016 to 2023, is accused of helping to mismanage funds meant for important infrastructure projects in Bayelsa State. These funds were meant to build a refinery, gas plant, power plant, and other facilities at the Brass Free Trade Zone. However, the project has shown very little progress since it received the money in 2020.
Wabote's detention is not the first time he has been questioned. The EFCC detained him for the second time in two weeks, after they found enough evidence to keep him in custody. They also took his passport and other travel documents to stop him from leaving the country while investigations are ongoing.
The EFCC has also searched his home in Abuja as part of their investigation. According to the commission, Wabote had provided different stories during his questioning, leading them to believe he might be involved in the fraud.
This case is part of a larger investigation into the misuse of public funds, and the EFCC is determined to bring all those involved to justice. Nigerians are waiting for more updates on how this fraud happened and what will happen next.