On June 17, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a former Speaker and 14 ex-members of the Plateau State House of Assembly in connection with an alleged ₦2.5 billion vehicle procurement scandal.
While the arrests shocked political observers, the gravity of the allegations has intensified a fierce war of words between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
The arrests represent one of the most sweeping corruption crackdowns on state legislators in recent EFCC history.
This article breaks down the arrests, the alleged crimes, political implications, and legal backdrop in seven detailed, fact-based segments, concluding with what to expect as the case proceeds.
1) WHO WAS ARRESTED: The Full List of 15 Plateau Ex-Lawmakers
The EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Command confirmed it arrested the following 15 former lawmakers, who served between 2022 and 2023, during the tenure of former Governor Simon Lalong:
- Rt. Hon. Moses Thomas Sule – Former Speaker
- Gwottson Fom
- Sani Abubakar
- Jwe Philip Gwom
- Thomas Dantong
- Happiness Mathew Akawu
- Cornelius Doeyok
- Agbalak Ibrahim
- Danjuma Azi
- Fwangje Bala Ndat
- Salome Tanimu Wanglek
- Namba Rimdat
- Nimchak Rims
- Ishaku Maren
- Paul Datungun
All 15 were reportedly appointed as liaison officers to their respective local government areas by the current administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang (PDP), despite their previous legislative tenures under an APC-led government.
2. THE ₦2.5 BILLION VEHICLE PROCUREMENT SCANDAL
The EFCC’s arrest is linked to allegations that during their time in office, the lawmakers:
Facilitated the procurement of 15 luxury vehicles worth approximately ₦2.5 billion, in alleged violation of the Public Procurement Act.
Retained these official vehicles after leaving office, thereby forcing the Plateau State Government to procure a new fleet—costing another ₦2 billion—for the current Assembly.
May have laundered state funds under the guise of constituency projects and other administrative expenses.
The EFCC alleges that these transactions breached both procurement procedures and the 2022 Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
3) POLITICAL FALLOUT: PDP VS. APC BLAME GAME
The scandal has triggered political drama between the Plateau State chapters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC):
PDP Spokesman, Hon. Philip Aji, condemned the arrests, describing them as a “witch-hunt” targeting PDP-affiliated appointees. He insinuated the EFCC was being used by the federal government to intimidate opposition figures in Plateau.
The APC, although yet to issue an official statement, is reported to have privately welcomed the arrests as proof of the PDP’s moral decay and questioned why those under criminal suspicion were appointed into the current administration.
This political dimension is significant, especially with Plateau being one of the few Middle Belt states where both parties hold substantial ground.
4. THE LEGAL BACKDROP: WHAT LAWS WERE ALLEGEDLY BROKEN?
The charges against the 15 lawmakers fall under the following legal provisions:
a. Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022
Alleged laundering of public funds through the purchase and misuse of state-funded assets.
Potential use of proxies or fronts to hide the true ownership of procured assets.
b. Public Procurement Act
Breach of rules requiring competitive bidding and transparency in state contracts.
Possible inflation of prices and awarding contracts without due process.
c. EFCC Act, 2004
Any financial crime involving misappropriation or conversion of public property falls within the purview of the EFCC.
Should formal charges be filed, the lawmakers may face decades in prison if found guilty.
5. WHO REPORTED THEM? THE ROLE OF CITIZEN PETITIONS
According to EFCC sources, the arrests were triggered by multiple petitions from concerned citizens and civic organizations in Plateau State.
These petitions highlighted:
- Suspicious financial records
- Disappearing assets
- Potential collusion between executive and legislative branches
This aspect is crucial, as it reflects a growing trend where civil society directly fuels anti-corruption probes, bypassing media or political middlemen.
6. TIMELINE OF EVENTS
March 2023: Lawmakers lose seats following the general elections.
May 2023: Governor Caleb Mutfwang (PDP) appoints many of them as liaison officers, despite their short-lived APC-affiliated legislative roles.
Late 2024: Petitions begin reaching EFCC about procurement breaches and unreturned vehicles.
June 17, 2025: Arrests carried out by EFCC in Jos and Makurdi; lawmakers detained for questioning.
The speed of the arrests, following months of bureaucratic buildup, suggests that EFCC investigators may have already built a case behind the scenes.
7. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The EFCC has yet to formally arraign the suspects in court, but its press statement indicates that:
- The suspects remain in custody and are undergoing further interrogation.
- Legal charges will be filed once investigations conclude.
- The commission may attempt to recover the vehicles or seek forfeiture orders from the courts.
Meanwhile:
- Legal teams for the ex-lawmakers are expected to file bail applications.
- PDP leaders are preparing public campaigns alleging persecution.
- The state’s judiciary will come under scrutiny for how impartially it handles the high-profile corruption charges.
CONTEXT: THIS ISN’T PLATEAU’S FIRST EFCC CASE
This arrest wave follows a pattern of EFCC scrutiny in Plateau:
Joshua Dariye, former governor, was jailed in 2018 for embezzling ₦1.6 billion.
Jonah Jang, another ex-governor, was investigated for over ₦6 billion in questionable expenses, including security votes and contracts.
This history of graft underscores how deeply entrenched corruption remains at sub-national levels.
REFLECTION: WHY THIS MATTERS
1. Strengthening institutional accountability: Arresting lawmakers sends a strong message that even those closest to state executives are not above the law.
2. Testing EFCC’s neutrality: With accusations of political bias, this case will test whether the EFCC can uphold the law fairly regardless of party lines.
3. Setting new precedents: If convicted, the forfeiture of vehicles and long prison terms could set precedents for asset recovery from ex-legislators nationwide.
4. Electoral repercussions: With 2027 in sight, both PDP and APC will weaponize this case in Plateau and beyond.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The arrest of 15 former Plateau lawmakers highlights the increasing reach of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria’s legislative spaces. While investigations are ongoing and no convictions have been made, the EFCC’s actions reflect growing attention to procurement practices and asset accountability at the state level.
As legal proceedings unfold, this case will test not just the strength of the evidence, but the institutions responsible for ensuring due process and justice. It also raises important questions about public service, post-tenure responsibility, and how governments manage transitions between administrations.
Ultimately, how this case is resolved—through the courts and within public institutions—will shape public confidence in accountability mechanisms across the country.
Discussion about this post