Lawyer Petitions ICPC to Probe Senator Ireti Kingibe Over Alleged ₦65m Fraud

An Abuja‑based legal practitioner, Elochukwu Obi, has filed a petition before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking investigation of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over allegations of abuse of office and fraudulent conduct involving the sum of ₦65 million.

The petition, dated April 27, 2026, was submitted on behalf of businessman Mr. Nonso Okafor, who claims to have been defrauded by the senator and her Senior Legislative Aide (SLA), Mr. Osereme Christen Omofoma. According to the petition, the aide allegedly persuaded Mr. Okafor to raise $100,000 for the senator’s “urgent financial needs,” promising either full repayment or facilitation of government contracts through which the petitioner would recover his funds.

Unable to raise the full amount, Mr. Okafor reportedly borrowed heavily at high interest rates and eventually paid $65,000 (₦118 million at the time) in two tranches in October 2024. The petition alleges that neither repayment nor contract award materialised, and that subsequent demands for refund were met with denial of receipt of funds by the senator.

The petition further claims that in May 2025, a partial payment of ₦50 million was made, with attempts by the senator and her aide to compel the petitioner to accept this as full and final settlement, allegedly accompanied by threats of arrest if he insisted on the outstanding balance of ₦68 million.

Counsel to the petitioner contends that the arrangement was a fraudulent scheme, devoid of any genuine contract facilitation, and amounted to criminal infractions and abuse of public office. The petition therefore prays ICPC to: investigate the allegations against Senator Kingibe and her aide, recover the outstanding ₦68 million wrongfully retained, and determine whether the conduct constitutes offences under anti‑corruption statutes.

In a statement issued to journalists, Senator Kingibe categorically denied the allegations, describing them as false, baseless, and malicious, intended to tarnish her reputation as the FCT senator in the 10th National Assembly. She maintained that she never received money from anyone, nor authorised any aide to solicit funds on her behalf in exchange for contracts or favours.

The senator expressed willingness to appear before any anti‑corruption agency to defend her integrity and clear her name.