EFCC Arrests Man Who Tried to Influence $4.5bn PTF Fraud Probe with N2 Million Bribe, Posing as Journalist

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a 63-year-old man, Ernesto Chukwukamma, for impersonation and extortion related to the ongoing investigation into a $4.5 billion fraud involving the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Chukwukamma allegedly posed as a journalist affiliated with the commission to deceive a petitioner. The suspect reportedly demanded N2 million, promising to suppress a damaging report that implicated the petitioner in the PTF fraud case.

Chukwukamma told the petitioner that a group of supposed correspondents linked to the EFCC possessed evidence of the petitioner’s involvement in the theft of \$4.5 billion during the PTF winding-up process. He allegedly threatened the petitioner and demanded the bribe to stop further investigations.

EFCC operatives arrested Chukwukamma while he was attempting to withdraw the N2 million allegedly collected from the victim. The commission has confirmed that the suspect will face charges once investigations are completed.

The EFCC continues to crack down on corruption and fraudulent activities related to high-profile cases like the PTF scandal.