ECN DG Mustapha Abdullahi denies arrest over alleged ₦500bn fraud probe

The Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, has denied reports claiming he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦500 billion fraud investigation.

In a statement issued on Thursday through his media aide, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Danjuma, Abdullahi clarified that he was not detained by the anti-graft agency but voluntarily responded to an official invitation for questioning.

The clarification followed widespread reports suggesting that EFCC operatives had arrested the ECN boss in Abuja in connection with alleged money laundering and financial misconduct involving funds under the commission.

According to the statement, Abdullahi’s appearance before the commission was part of a routine administrative and investigative process.

“It is important to clarify that he was not arrested, but voluntarily honored an invitation extended to him by the commission,” the statement read. “Dr. Abdullahi remains committed to transparency, accountability, and respect for lawful institutions.”

Sources familiar with the matter, however, indicated that the EFCC is investigating financial activities linked to the commission, including allegations involving large-scale fund transfers, procurement processes, and the management of intervention funds tied to Nigeria’s energy and renewable development programmes.

The alleged probe is also said to involve scrutiny of transactions connected to energy transition initiatives under the commission’s supervision since Abdullahi assumed office in 2023.

Neither the EFCC nor the Energy Commission has officially disclosed details of the specific allegations or the exact scope of the investigation.

The ECN management urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of prejudicing ongoing investigations, stressing that due process should be allowed to take its course.

The statement further appealed for calm among stakeholders, noting that Abdullahi remains focused on the commission’s mandate of driving energy research, policy planning, and sustainable energy development in Nigeria.

Abdullahi previously served at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission before his appointment as Director-General of the ECN.

As investigations continue, attention remains on how the development could impact the commission’s strategic role in Nigeria’s renewable energy and energy transition agenda.