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Crime/Social Justice
Edo: Advocate revives query on EFCC's N6 billion fraud probe amid ongoing silence
Written By: Ehioze Gilbert
24 Dec 2025 02:19 PM
Benin, Edo – In a pointed social media post on Christmas Eve, Emmanuel Ikhenebome, CEO of Nossilas Globals Limited and a prominent advocate for transparency in governance, publicly questioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) about the status of an alleged N6 billion fraud case involving businessman Jonathan Okunbor.
The post highlights ongoing concerns over unresolved high-profile corruption investigations in Nigeria.
Ikhenebome's message, directly tagged the EFCC's official account (@officialEFCC) and referenced a January 2025 report from Daily South Nigeria. "What about the N6b fraud case?" he wrote, quoting the earlier article titled "Okunbor is not Edo PDP witness, EFCC knocks Ighodalo, vows to bring suspect to book for 'N6b fraud'."
The query stems from a dramatic incident nearly a year earlier, on January 15, 2025, when EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Okunbor at the Eterno Hotel in Benin City during a pre-trial meeting for the Edo State governorship election tribunal.
According to EFCC statements at the time, Okunbor was a prime suspect in the misappropriation of approximately N6 billion (about $3.6 million at current exchange rates) from Edo State's 18 local government areas.
The funds were allegedly diverted to Okunbor's company, Kezmith Global Ventures, which he reportedly operated under the alias Godfrey Emode.
EFCC investigators had arrested Emode earlier, who then led them to Okunbor.
However, the arrest was obstructed by Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 2024 Edo governorship election, who was challenging the results at the tribunal.
Ighodalo and his team claimed Okunbor was a key PDP witness, insisting the EFCC lacked a warrant and allowing Okunbor to escape. A viral video captured the confrontation, sparking widespread media coverage.
In a swift response that same day, the EFCC issued a press release clarifying that Okunbor was not a tribunal witness, a fact confirmed by Ighodalo's own counsel during questioning.
The agency emphasized it had "no business with any Edo State election witness without corruption charges" and vowed to prosecute Okunbor for the alleged fraud, regardless of political affiliations.
"Okunbor will be brought to book soon in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm," the EFCC stated, distancing itself from any election-related interference.
Despite the strong rhetoric, public records reveal no significant updates on the case throughout 2025.
Social media activity around the topic also dwindled, with only a handful of posts echoing the initial coverage in mid-January, such as clarifications from EFCC-affiliated accounts and news share
Ikhenebome, whose company operates media platforms including Daily South Nigeria, the original publishers of the quoted report has a history of advocating for accountability in Nigerian politics.
His post could signal frustration over perceived delays in anti-corruption efforts, especially in Edo State, where governance and electoral disputes remain contentious.
The 2024 election saw Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winner, amid PDP allegations of irregularities that led to the tribunal proceedings.
Experts note that such cases often face prolonged investigations due to legal complexities, political sensitivities, or resource constraints. This incident underscores broader challenges in Nigeria's fight against corruption, where high-profile probes sometimes fade from public view without resolution.
The EFCC, established in 2003, continues to handle thousands of cases annually, but critics argue for more transparency in updates to maintain public trust.
Attempts to reach EFCC spokespersons for comment on the Okunbor case were unsuccessful by deadline.
As at the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not responded to Ikhenebome's query on X.
The post highlights ongoing concerns over unresolved high-profile corruption investigations in Nigeria.
Ikhenebome's message, directly tagged the EFCC's official account (@officialEFCC) and referenced a January 2025 report from Daily South Nigeria. "What about the N6b fraud case?" he wrote, quoting the earlier article titled "Okunbor is not Edo PDP witness, EFCC knocks Ighodalo, vows to bring suspect to book for 'N6b fraud'."
The query stems from a dramatic incident nearly a year earlier, on January 15, 2025, when EFCC operatives attempted to arrest Okunbor at the Eterno Hotel in Benin City during a pre-trial meeting for the Edo State governorship election tribunal.
According to EFCC statements at the time, Okunbor was a prime suspect in the misappropriation of approximately N6 billion (about $3.6 million at current exchange rates) from Edo State's 18 local government areas.
The funds were allegedly diverted to Okunbor's company, Kezmith Global Ventures, which he reportedly operated under the alias Godfrey Emode.
EFCC investigators had arrested Emode earlier, who then led them to Okunbor.
However, the arrest was obstructed by Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 2024 Edo governorship election, who was challenging the results at the tribunal.
Ighodalo and his team claimed Okunbor was a key PDP witness, insisting the EFCC lacked a warrant and allowing Okunbor to escape. A viral video captured the confrontation, sparking widespread media coverage.
In a swift response that same day, the EFCC issued a press release clarifying that Okunbor was not a tribunal witness, a fact confirmed by Ighodalo's own counsel during questioning.
The agency emphasized it had "no business with any Edo State election witness without corruption charges" and vowed to prosecute Okunbor for the alleged fraud, regardless of political affiliations.
"Okunbor will be brought to book soon in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm," the EFCC stated, distancing itself from any election-related interference.
Despite the strong rhetoric, public records reveal no significant updates on the case throughout 2025.
Social media activity around the topic also dwindled, with only a handful of posts echoing the initial coverage in mid-January, such as clarifications from EFCC-affiliated accounts and news share
Ikhenebome, whose company operates media platforms including Daily South Nigeria, the original publishers of the quoted report has a history of advocating for accountability in Nigerian politics.
His post could signal frustration over perceived delays in anti-corruption efforts, especially in Edo State, where governance and electoral disputes remain contentious.
The 2024 election saw Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winner, amid PDP allegations of irregularities that led to the tribunal proceedings.
Experts note that such cases often face prolonged investigations due to legal complexities, political sensitivities, or resource constraints. This incident underscores broader challenges in Nigeria's fight against corruption, where high-profile probes sometimes fade from public view without resolution.
The EFCC, established in 2003, continues to handle thousands of cases annually, but critics argue for more transparency in updates to maintain public trust.
Attempts to reach EFCC spokespersons for comment on the Okunbor case were unsuccessful by deadline.
As at the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not responded to Ikhenebome's query on X.
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