The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited 146 officials of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) for questioning over an alleged misappropriation of public funds.
A reliable source within the anti-graft agency confirmed to by newsmen that the invited officials, both serving and retired, are scheduled to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja between Monday, January 20, and Friday, January 24, 2025.
“The commission is currently investigating the NCPC, and we have invited about 146 staff members for questioning. Each of them has been assigned specific dates to appear at the EFCC headquarters,” the source revealed.
Although EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for comment, the press obtained that an internal NCPC memo confirming the development.
Dated January 16, 2025, and signed by Assistant Director APD, Chukwura Frank, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, the memo instructed the invited staff members to bring their international passports to the EFCC office.
The memo, titled “Re: Invitation by EFCC on Investigation of Misappropriation of Public Funds,” read in part:
“I am directed to inform you that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited 146 officers of the Commission (both serving and retired) for an interview and to go along with their international passports for this purpose.
“The officers on the attached list should report to the EFCC on the dates indicated against their names for the interview with the Head, Special Duty Committee 3, at EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, by 10:00 a.m. prompt.”
According to the memo, those scheduled to appear include top-ranking NCPC officials such as the Assistant Chief Accountant, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts), Principal Accountant, and several others.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for NCPC, Celestine Ogugua, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, one of the invited officials downplayed the situation, describing it as a routine financial audit.
“It is not a new thing for us here. It is a routine exercise to check the books of the commission. There is nothing to worry about,” the official said.
