An Abuja-based businessman, Mr Nonso Okafor, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, accusing the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, of deceit and fraudulent withholding of N68m.
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In a petition dated April 27, 2026, and signed by his counsel, Elochukwu Obi of Legal Strides, Okafor alleged that he was induced to part with $65,000 (about N118 million at the time) in October 2024 under the promise of either a refund or assistance in securing federal government contracts.
The petition claimed that the transaction was facilitated by the senator’s Senior Legislative Aide, Mrs Osereme Christen Omofoma, who allegedly persuaded the businessman to help raise $100,000 for the lawmaker to meet “urgent financial needs.”
Kingibe, however, denied allegations that she collected money to facilitate a fake Federal Government contract, describing the claims as false and baseless.
According to the lawyers, Okafor initially declined but later “succumbed to enormous pressure,” borrowing funds at high interest rates from associates to raise $65,000, which he allegedly paid in two tranches.
“The SLA promised that the money will be repaid in full or, in the alternative, the Senator will facilitate the award of contracts to our client through which he will recoup the money,” the petition read.
However, the petitioner said no contract materialised months after payment, prompting him to demand a refund.
The lawyers further alleged that the senator denied receiving any money and became unreachable, forcing their client to channel communications through the aide.
“After several months of waiting in vain, it dawned on our client that there was no contract for him, and that he had simply been misled,” the petition stated.
It added that after threats to involve law enforcement, the senator and her aide allegedly made a partial repayment of N50m in May 2025, which they insisted should be accepted as “full and final settlement.”
The petition added, “They tried to compel our client to accept the payment as full and final, with threats to arrest him if he refuses to forego the balance.”
Okafor maintains that an outstanding N68m remained unpaid and described the conduct of the senator and her aide as “dodgy, deceptive and geared towards defrauding him.”
The petitioner further claimed that the promise to facilitate contracts was a “deceitful gimmick” used to obtain money without the intention of repayment.
He urged the ICPC to investigate the matter for possible abuse of office and criminal infractions, and to recover the outstanding sum.
“We most respectfully plead that you urgently intervene and cause your officers to investigate this matter,” the petition read.
Responding, Kingibe, in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, on Tuesday, said she never requested or received money for any contract, nor authorised anyone to do so on her behalf.
“Allegations that I was ‘dragged to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over a N100m kickback for a fake contract’ are entirely false and raise serious questions about motive, particularly given its suspicious timing.
“According to the report, I was linked to an alleged kickback tied to a so-called ‘fake contract.’
“Let it be stated categorically, and without ambiguity, I have never been invited, queried, or contacted by the ICPC on this or any related matter.
“At no time has the commission written to me or sought any explanation regarding any allegation whatsoever.
“Even more fundamentally, as a senator, I do not award contracts, not even for constituency projects. All such projects are executed strictly by relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government in line with established procedures.
“Any attempt to associate me with contract awards reflects either a fundamental misunderstanding of how government functions or a deliberate act of misinformation,” Kingibe said.
She expressed surprise about the coincidence of the petition after her ARISE TV interview.
“What is most telling, however, is the timing. How coincidental that this publication surfaces the very morning after my interview on ARISE Television, where I spoke candidly on the state of the nation and held the government accountable.
“This pattern is not lost on discerning observers. It is becoming increasingly evident that those who choose to speak truth to power must now contend not only with resistance but also with calculated attempts at intimidation and character assassination.
“Let it be made clear, I will not be silenced. I remain resolute in my commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. If this is the consequence of refusing to align with the excesses of government, then so be it.
“I fully expect more of such attacks. They will not deter me, because the Nigerian people deserve leaders who will speak boldly, not those who shrink from the truth,” Kingibe stated.
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