NACAT Calls On Tinubu To Probe Alleged ₦700m Solar Contract Scam At Energy Commission, Petitions Presidency, EFCC, ICPC

A civil society organisation, the Network Against Corruption and Drug Trafficking, NACAT, has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over alleged large-scale corruption, contract splitting and abuse of office at the Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN.

At a world press conference held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Abuja, NACAT accused the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, of masterminding what it described as a “well-coordinated and brazen scheme” involving the illegal award and payment of solar streetlight contracts worth several hundreds of millions of naira to five companies allegedly owned and controlled by the same individuals.

Addressing journalists, NACAT said its action was driven by documentary evidence and a commitment to accountability, not politics or personal vendetta. The group warned that the alleged acts represent a grave betrayal of public trust and a violation of Nigeria’s procurement and anti-corruption laws.

How the Commission Breached procurement law

NACAT cited provisions of the Public Procurement Act, particularly Sections 24 and 25, which mandate open competitive bidding and public advertisement of contracts to ensure transparency, competition and value for money. According to the group, these requirements were allegedly ignored under Dr. Abdullahi’s leadership at the ECN.

“Our findings reveal a disturbing pattern of contract splitting, illegal awards and suspicious payments that clearly violate extant procurement laws,” NACAT said.

Contracts Details and Exposition

According to NACAT, investigations revealed that on October 23, 2024, the ECN paid ₦103,415,184.80 to DOAD Contractors Ltd, a company registered barely a year earlier, on November 6, 2023.

On the same day, the commission allegedly paid ₦57,892,562.77 as a 30 per cent mobilisation fee to Bajaj Modupeola Empire Ltd for solar streetlight projects in Ogun and Ekiti states, with a total contract value of ₦192,975,209.23, which NACAT said was later fully paid.

Also on October 23, 2024, ECN reportedly paid ₦57,865,529.30 to B&H Dynamic Global Services Ltd as mobilisation for similar solar projects in Edo and Delta states, valued at ₦192,885,097.67.

NACAT further alleged that on October 21, 2024, ECN paid ₦57,967,340.51 to BMU Construction Company Ltd for solar streetlight projects in Kebbi State, valued at ₦193,224,468.37.

On the same day, another ₦57,907,514.61 was allegedly paid to Dehanzel Nig. Ltd for solar projects in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states, valued at ₦193,025,048.70.

The organisation noted that all five companies were registered within a single week in late October and early November 2023, shared similar addresses in Abuja, and allegedly had the same directors.

 “This points to a deliberate and coordinated scheme designed to circumvent procurement thresholds through contract splitting,” NACAT said.

Non-execution of Contracts Allegations

Beyond the awards and payments, NACAT alleged that preliminary findings indicate the contracts were not executed and that the funds were diverted for personal interests. It also noted that the payments to the five companies were made within a span of just two days, raising further red flags.

According to the group, the companies had no verifiable track record yet received and were paid hundreds of millions of naira within ten months of their registration.

Alleged distraction tactics

NACAT also accused an unregistered group, which it identified as the “Nigerian People Against Corruption Coalition,” of attempting to distract public attention through what it described as blackmail, intimidation and staged press conferences.

The organisation distanced itself from the group, insisting that its own allegations are backed by documents and verifiable records.

Call for suspension and probe

In its demands, NACAT called on President Tinubu to immediately direct the EFCC, ICPC and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to launch a comprehensive, transparent and independent investigation into the alleged transactions.

The group also demanded the immediate suspension of Dr. Abdullahi as ECN Director-General, pending the outcome of investigations, to prevent interference, destruction of evidence or intimidation of witnesses.

“The credibility of this administration and the integrity of public office demand decisive action,” NACAT said, warning against what it described as selective accountability.

Background on NACAT

NACAT said it is a duly registered civil society organisation under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, working locally and internationally to combat corruption, financial crimes, terrorism financing and economic sabotage.

The group recalled that its past investigations exposed a multi-billion-naira corruption scheme involving a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, which it said led to an arrest and an ongoing EFCC probe.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Energy Commission of Nigeria nor Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi had responded to the allegations.