Fresh allegations have emerged against the immediate past Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Abubakar Jibrin Giri, following claims by multiple sources that he was allegedly detained by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for more than four days as part of an ongoing investigation into the affairs of his administration.
Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, alleged that the former chairman was questioned extensively over financial transactions, contract awards, and other activities carried out during his tenure in office. According to the sources, investigators are examining documents and other materials believed to be relevant to the probe.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued any official statement confirming or denying the alleged detention, while Mr. Giri had not publicly responded to the claims.
The latest allegations come against the backdrop of earlier controversies that trailed the former council administration. During his tenure, investigative reports by journalist Manasseh Paul Bem, popularly known as “Revelationary Chiefpriest,” raised questions over alleged irregularities in contract awards and claims relating to suspicious property acquisitions. The reports later resulted in the arrest and prosecution of the journalist on criminal defamation charges, a development that attracted widespread public attention and concern from media rights advocates.
Although no court has found Mr. Giri guilty of any criminal offence, the fresh allegations have renewed calls from residents, civil society organisations, and accountability advocates for a transparent investigation into the management of public resources under the former administration.
Political observers say that if the allegations are officially confirmed, the case could become one of the most significant anti-corruption investigations involving a former Area Council chairman in the Federal Capital Territory in recent years.
At press time, the EFCC had yet to make any public pronouncement on the alleged detention, and all allegations against the former chairman remain unproven pending official confirmation or judicial determination.