$35m brass project: EFCC arrests ex-NCDMB boss Wabote on fraud allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Timber Kesiye Wabote, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), over an alleged $35 million fraud linked to the abandoned Brass Project in Bayelsa State.

Wabote is accused of misappropriating public funds intended for a refinery and infrastructure project to boost local energy capabilities.

His arrest follows the earlier detention of the Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, who faces charges of money laundering, misappropriation, and fund diversion.

During Wabote’s tenure, NCDMB reportedly provided $35 million in counterpart funding to develop an Energy Infrastructure Park in Okpoama Community, Brass LGA, Bayelsa.

The project, set to include a refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre, and tank farm with a capacity of 2,000 barrels per day, was abandoned in December 2020 despite significant funding.

He said, “NCDMB under Wabote allegedly paid $35 million to Akindele for a refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre, and tank farm at Brass Free Trade Zone. Since December 2020, the project has shown minimal progress.”

Preliminary investigations indicate that under Wabote’s leadership, NCDMB financed 17 projects, including the Brass Free Trade Zone initiative.

He was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the failed project, for which $35 million had been allocated.

Confirming Wabote’s arrest, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined further comments. The EFCC is pursuing other suspects tied to the case, and Wabote is currently detained at their Abuja facility.