N603 Million ‘NNPC Job Deal’ Scandal: EFCC Drags Suspects to Court Over Alleged Fake Presidential Connection -

A major fraud scandal has surfaced in Abuja as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned two individuals accused of collecting a staggering N603.4 million from a businesswoman with promises of securing her the coveted position of Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The defendants, Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho—who is reportedly on the run—were brought before the Federal High Court in Maitama on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretenses and forgery.

Daily Star Nigeria gathered that the suspects allegedly convinced the victim, Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye, that they had high-level connections capable of influencing the top NNPC appointment. Investigators say the accused went as far as fabricating an official-looking document bearing the title: “Presidential Villa State House, Office of the National Security Adviser,” to make the deal appear legitimate.

The EFCC told the court that the forged document was used to reinforce claims that the appointment process had powerful backing, thereby persuading the complainant to part with the huge sum of money.

When the charges were read in court, Gidado Ibrahim pleaded not guilty.

His lawyer, B. B. Alhaji, appealed to the court to allow his client remain in EFCC custody for medical reasons pending the hearing of his bail application.

Presiding Judge, Justice H. Muazu, adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026, for the bail hearing and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until further proceedings.

The case has sparked fresh concerns about the growing trend of influence-peddling scams and fake appointment rackets targeting desperate job seekers and political aspirants across the country.

More details are expected to emerge as the trial continues.