Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Pastor Kelechi Benwosely Esimogu, a staff member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over allegations of a multi-million naira contract scam.
According to reports, Esimogu was apprehended on Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. at a hospitality spot in Wuse, Abuja. The arrest was said to have been carried out without incident, after which she was taken into custody for questioning by EFCC operatives.
The suspect, who also serves as Group Pastor of Powercity International in Port Harcourt, is accused of obtaining large sums of money from private companies under the pretext of securing lucrative NDDC contracts.
“She allegedly convinced victims that she had strong influence within the commission and could facilitate the award of high-value contracts,” a source familiar with the investigation said.
Petitioners claimed that despite receiving payments running into hundreds of millions of naira, the promised contracts never materialised.
“The contracts never came through, and the funds were allegedly diverted for other purposes,” another source disclosed.
Investigators further revealed that multiple companies submitted similar complaints, prompting a wider probe into the alleged scheme. Payments were reportedly made in installments over a period of time.
Authorities also disclosed that efforts to reach Esimogu initially proved difficult, as she allegedly evaded arrest by frequently changing locations.
“She was invited several times but failed to honour the invitations,” a source said, adding that she had recently been active in Imo State, where she was reportedly making political moves ahead of upcoming elections.
The EFCC is now examining whether proceeds from the alleged fraud were used to fund political mobilisation and related activities.
As of the time of filing this report, the anti-graft agency has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest.