EFCC Debunks Sahara Report, Accuses Lawyer Of Attempted Funds Hijack
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly refuted the report published by the Sahara Reporters claiming that the Department of State Services (DSS) abducted Lagos-based lawyer, Moses Oddiri, following a petition over alleged fund diversion by the EFCC Chairman.
The EFCC, in a statement issued on Friday, said the publication—titled “DSS Abducts Lawyer Moses Oddiri in Lagos After Petition on Diversion Of Funds By EFCC Chairman”—is a fabricated attempt to cast its Chairman as acting vindictively, and described the report as “falsehood taken too far.”
TheFact Daily gathered that at the centre of the controversy is the Niger Delta Host Community Trust Fund, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The EFCC explained that the funds were rightly paid into the accounts of two Host Community Benefit Trusts (HCBTs) in compliance with the PIA and OPEC guidelines, following an investigation ordered by the EFCC Chairman into delayed remittances by defaulting companies.
However, Oddiri allegedly insisted that the funds be paid into the account of his Non-Governmental Organisation—an arrangement the EFCC says would violate the law. Since the legitimate disbursement took place in 2024, Oddiri has reportedly mounted persistent attacks on the EFCC and its Chairman for refusing to divert the funds into his NGO.
To address the brewing tension, the EFCC convened stakeholder meetings in Lagos and Abuja involving community leaders, regulators, and oil company representatives.
At one of these sessions, the EFCC Chairman stressed: “Our role is to ensure that funds designated for a particular community are not diverted elsewhere, that unauthorized individuals do not illicitly benefit, and that resources are channeled into tangible development projects such as electricity and potable water.”
The Commission says Oddiri has repeatedly launched defamatory campaigns online—including through Sahara Reporters—accusing the Chairman of diverting funds. Legal action is now being initiated against the latest publication.
The EFCC also noted that Oddiri has made similar “baseless” accusations against Heritage Energy Operational Services Ltd., prompting separate legal suits and a petition to the DSS. Community leaders in the affected host communities, the Commission added, are fully aware of Oddiri’s alleged self-serving motives.
Reaffirming its stance, the EFCC declared it will not be intimidated into breaching legally established procedures for the disbursement of community funds. The agency urged the media to uphold balanced reporting and resist being manipulated by individuals pursuing personal agendas.
The EFCC emphasized that it remains committed to its mandate and will continue working in the best interest of the nation.
