EFCC ARRESTS EX-NCDMB BOSS WABOTE OVER $35M BRASS PROJECT FRAUD SCANDAL

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Timber Kesiye Wabote, the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), over allegations of a $35 million fraud linked to the failed Brass Project in Bayelsa State.

The investigation ties Wabote to a misappropriation scandal involving public funds allocated for a refinery and infrastructure project intended to boost local energy capabilities.

Wabote’s arrest follows the earlier detention of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, the Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who is facing charges of money laundering, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds.

Under Wabote’s leadership, the NCDMB reportedly provided counterpart funding of $35 million to support the development of an Energy Infrastructure Park in the Okpoama Community, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

According to sources, the project was meant to include a refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data center, and tank farm, designed to process 2,000 barrels of oil per day.

However, investigations reveal that the project was abandoned in December 2020 with minimal progress made, despite the significant funds allocated.

The source said, “NCDMB under the watch of Wabote allegedly paid the $35 million to Akindele to build a 2000 barrel per day, BPD, Refinery, Jetty, Gas Plant, Power Plant, Data Centre and Tank Farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, FTZ, Okpoama Community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State.

“Since December 2020 when the payments were made, Akindele allegedly abandoned the project with little or nothing to show for the huge sum paid to him.

“Preliminary investigations showed that Wabote’s NCDMB financed 17 different projects, including the 2000 barrel per day, BPD, Refinery, Jetty, Gas Plant, Power Plant, Data Centre and Tank Farm at Brass Free Trade Zone, FTZ, Okpoama Community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State.

“His arrest on Tuesday is in connection with the botched refinery for which $35 million was paid.

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“He was picked up following the arrest of the Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, Mr. Akintoye Adeoye Akindele for alleged misappropriation, money laundering and diversion of $35 million public funds.”

Wabote’s tenure as NCDMB Executive Secretary, from 2016 to 2023, saw multiple such investments, including the $35 million allocated for the Brass Free Trade Zone initiative.

The EFCC is currently detaining him at its Abuja facility, and they are pursuing other suspects involved in the case.

Contacted, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, confirmed Wabote’s arrest and detention, but declined further comments.