By Peter Dansu A storm is brewing over the handling of fraud allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as Hon. S...
By Peter Dansu
A storm is brewing over the handling of fraud allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, the Member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, has raised serious concerns on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Hon. Whingan on Tuesday presented a petition submitted by a civic group, Concerned Citizens for Justice and Accountability, urging the House to investigate what it described as a deliberate failure of the EFCC to act on over 130 complaints filed against a Lagos-based real estate company, Property World Africa Network (PWAN).
The petition alleges that PWAN engaged in widespread land fraud by selling receipts instead of actual property, collecting millions of naira from unsuspecting Nigerians without allocating plots of land, and operating in ways that raise deep ethical and legal questions. Despite multiple petitions filed with the EFCC, the group says no visible action has been taken against the company.
Even more troubling, the petition highlighted the recent arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Scott Iguma—a whistleblower and content creator who compiled and submitted the complaints on behalf of victims across Nigeria. His detention, the group said, appears to be a move to silence him rather than protect him, raising fears that the EFCC may be complicit in shielding PWAN from accountability.
Addressing lawmakers, Hon. Whingan did not mince words about the seriousness of the matter. “It is unacceptable that a citizen who took the risk to expose alleged fraud is the one being punished, while the subject of the petition appears to enjoy impunity,” he said. “We owe it to the people we represent to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done.”
The petition calls on the National Assembly to summon the EFCC to provide an update on the unresolved complaints against PWAN and to investigate the circumstances behind Mr. Iguma’s arrest. It also seeks enforcement of the Whistleblower Protection Act, including Mr. Iguma’s immediate release and protection from further harassment.
Furthermore, the petition questioned whether there may be hidden interests between EFCC operatives and PWAN representatives that are obstructing due process.
Hon. Whingan emphasized the duty of public institutions to uphold transparency and justice, adding that citizens should be able to rely on anti-corruption agencies to protect victims—not shield perpetrators. “As lawmakers, it is our duty to protect the rights of every Nigerian, especially those who stand up against fraud and corruption,” he said.
The petition is now before the House for deliberation, with growing public interest in how the legislature will respond to the serious allegations. Eyes will be on the relevant House Committees in the coming weeks to see whether they will act swiftly and decisively.
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