The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched investigations into the utilisation of the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for players’ wages and bonuses.
The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
A source confirmed that some NFF officials linked to the disbursement had been invited by investigators and had made statements.
“They have been under our radar before now. We invited some officials over to our offices, and they gave their statements. Presently, they are on administrative bail. We have not ended our investigation,” the source said.
The development came to light in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the NFF General Secretary. The letter was in response to a request for financial records and utilisation logs relating to the fund.
Dated August 18, 2026, the letter was addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke, following a correspondence dated August 7, 2026, which the NFF received on August 11.
According to the report, the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act and sought access to financial records and other documents concerning the N12bn intervention fund.
However, the NFF declined to release the records, citing ongoing investigations by the two anti-corruption agencies.
“I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and your correspondence dated 7th August, 2026 but received on 11th August, 2026,” the letter stated.
“It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is the subject of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“Therefore, all documents relating to the request are before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.”
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