The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged receipt of a petition alleging a disputed attempt to secure an additional payment of $396,615,107.19 to Linas International Limited and Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, despite claims that an earlier $350 million settlement in 2018 was meant to be final.
The petition, filed by the Whistleblowers Network and signed by its chairman, George Uboh, was officially received on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and registered under reference number EFCC/PET/HQR/1299/2026.
Allegation centres on 2018 payment
At the heart of the complaint is the 2018 payment approved under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, following a recommendation by then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. The group insists that the payment was explicitly described as a “full and final settlement” of all Paris Club-related consultancy claims.
According to documents cited in the petition, the sum of $350 million was approved on August 29, 2018, and paid from the Excess Crude Account after presidential endorsement.
The petitioners argue that the wording of the approval left no room for additional claims, stating that all related obligations were fully resolved at the time.
EFCC correspondence referenced
The group also pointed to a 2024 EFCC letter allegedly confirming that the $350 million had already been paid to Linas International Limited and Senator Nwoko in line with the 2018 approval.
They maintain that this acknowledgment further strengthens the position that the matter had been conclusively settled.
Fresh payment request under scrutiny
The controversy stems from a subsequent request in November 2024, when the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reportedly wrote to President Bola Tinubu seeking approval for an additional $396.6 million payment linked to the same consultancy arrangement.
The petitioners argue that this request contradicts the earlier “full and final” settlement, raising questions about the legal and financial basis for reopening the matter.
They also referenced public comments attributed to Senator Nwoko suggesting that he had not received the full $350 million and had been cleared by the EFCC—claims the petition disputes.
Allegations and demand for investigation
The Whistleblowers Network is asking the EFCC to open a full-scale investigation into both the 2018 disbursement and the fresh payment request.
Specifically, the group is seeking clarification on whether there was any misrepresentation in official correspondence, and whether the renewed demand for funds amounts to an abuse of process.
It also raised concerns over how the original $350 million was distributed, alleging that internal allocations do not change the fact that the payment was made under Linas International Limited and Senator Nwoko’s consultancy framework.
Background to the Paris Club case
The Paris Club refund dispute stems from consultancy services linked to deductions made from state and local government funds between 1995 and 2002. Linas International Limited, led by Senator Nwoko, was among the firms engaged to recover the funds.
Over the years, the case has seen multiple court rulings, settlements, and administrative approvals, with disagreements emerging over how much was owed, how payments were structured, and whether earlier settlements were final.
EFCC yet to conclude position
The EFCC has not issued a substantive response beyond confirming receipt of the petition. However, the matter is expected to be reviewed as part of ongoing scrutiny of historical financial settlements involving public funds and government approvals.
For now, the dispute adds another layer to a long-running and highly complex case that continues to generate controversy within Nigeria’s public finance space.
