A former Plateau Speaker and 14 lawmakers have been arrested for alleged fraud and corruption schemes.
The EFCC says they kept luxury cars bought with public funds after leaving office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Mr. Moses Thomas Sule, a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, alongside 14 ex-lawmakers, on suspicion of money laundering and violations of procurement procedures.
The arrest was carried out on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by operatives from the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate, following petitions submitted by concerned citizens of the state.
The other arrested former legislators include Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.
According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that the 15 individuals served only six months in office, during which time the Plateau State government purchased luxury vehicles worth approximately ₦2.5 billion for their official use.
However, after leaving office, the former lawmakers allegedly failed to return the vehicles to the state as required. Despite multiple attempts by the government to recover the assets, the vehicles remain in their possession. As a result, the state had to procure new vehicles for the current House members at an additional cost of around ₦2 billion.
The EFCC stated that the accused persons violated provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
