EFCC arrests ex speaker, 14 others over N2.5bn vehicle scandal

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested the former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule, along with 14 other ex-lawmakers over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

The arrests, which took place on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Makurdi, followed a series of petitions from concerned citizens accusing the former lawmakers of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and flouting procurement laws during their six-month stint in office.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the lawmakers, during their short tenure, took delivery of luxury vehicles reportedly worth N2.5 billion. The vehicles were issued as official cars but were never returned after the legislators vacated their positions.

Multiple efforts by the Plateau State Government to recover the vehicles reportedly failed, forcing the government to procure a new fleet for the current House of Assembly members at an additional cost of approximately N2 billion.

The EFCC confirmed that the arrests are part of a broader investigation into the suspected financial misconduct and that the former lawmakers would be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of the probe.

Those arrested alongside the former Speaker include: Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.