Former Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Abubakar Jibrin Giri, remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as fresh allegations reportedly emerge from contractors and civil society organisations over activities linked to his tenure.
Sources close to the matter told ChroniclesReporters that contractors have petitioned the EFCC over alleged unpaid debts arising from contracts they claim to have executed during the administration of the former chairman.
According to the sources, the contractors are demanding that the anti-graft agency investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged outstanding payments, as well as other financial dealings connected to the contracts.
The sources further alleged that the EFCC’s investigation is examining allegations bordering on money laundering, contract racketeering and other financial irregularities.
Beyond the contractors’ petitions, ChroniclesReporters gathered that several civil society organisations have also allegedly submitted petitions calling for investigations into activities associated with Giri’s tenure.
The petitions are reportedly raising questions about the handling of council funds, contract awards, payments and other financial transactions allegedly carried out under the former chairman’s administration.
The development has intensified scrutiny around Giri’s continued detention, with sources suggesting that investigators are examining multiple petitions and allegations before reaching a decision on the next steps.
The former chairman’s detention has also generated considerable attention within Gwagwalada, particularly amid growing questions over the allegations contained in the petitions and whether they could result in formal charges.
However, the allegations remain claims under investigation and have not been established by any court of law. Giri is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.
The exact amount allegedly owed to the contractors, the identities of all petitioners and the full details of the allegations could not be independently verified by ChroniclesReporters as of the time of filing this report.
The EFCC has not, at the time of publication, publicly disclosed the full details of the investigation or confirmed formal charges against the former Gwagwalada Area Council chairman.
As the investigation continues, attention is now focused on whether the allegations contained in the various petitions will translate into formal charges or whether the former chairman will be cleared of the claims.
ChroniclesReporters will continue to monitor the matter and report verified developments as they emerge.