By Ghazali Ibrahim
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the 10th National Assembly, has been dragged before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of fraud and abuse of office involving $65,000 said to have been collected for a contract that never materialised.
The petition, dated April 27, 2026, was filed by lawyer Elochukwu Obi on behalf of businessman Nonso Okafor. It calls for an urgent investigation into the matter and the recovery of an alleged outstanding balance of N68 million.
According to the petition, the transaction originated in October 2024 when the senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, Osereme Christian Omofoma, allegedly approached Okafor to help raise $100,000 for the lawmaker to meet what were described as urgent financial needs. In return, the aide reportedly assured the businessman that the money would either be repaid or offset through the award of Federal Government contracts.
The petitioner claimed that Okafor, initially hesitant, was pressured into the arrangement and eventually raised $65,000, part of it borrowed at high interest rates to meet the demand. The funds were allegedly paid to the senator in two tranches, with assurances that the contract would be awarded within weeks.
However, months after the payment, no contract was forthcoming. The petition stated that the businessman eventually concluded that he had been misled and began demanding a refund.
It further alleged that Senator Kingibe initially refused to return the money and later denied ever receiving it. Okafor, unable to reach the senator directly, reportedly continued pressing his demands through the aide.
The situation escalated when the businessman threatened to involve law enforcement authorities. According to the petition, this led to a partial refund of N50 million in May 2025, leaving an outstanding balance of N68 million.
The petitioner also alleged that the senator threatened to have Okafor arrested when he insisted on recovering the remaining funds.
The ICPC has yet to publicly respond to the petition, and Senator Kingibe has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
However, there have been mixed reactions circulating online with some arguing in support of the alleged petition as a means of accountability on public office holders while some argue that it is a political move aimed at targeting her since she raised the allegations of forgery in the recently passed Electoral Act in recent months.
