The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Timber Kesiye Wabote, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), over allegations of misappropriating $35 million intended for the Brass Project in Bayelsa State. The project, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s local energy production, has been under scrutiny due to significant delays and the alleged mismanagement of funds.
Under Wabote’s leadership, the NCDMB reportedly allocated $35 million as counterpart funding for the development of an Energy Infrastructure Park in Brass Local Government Area. The project was to include a refinery, jetty, gas and power plants, a data center, and a tank farm with a capacity to process 2,000 barrels of oil per day. However, reports indicate that the project was abandoned in December 2020 with minimal development.
Wabote’s arrest follows that of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who is facing charges of money laundering and diversion of public funds related to the project. Sources allege that Akindele failed to progress the project after receiving the funds, leaving the site largely incomplete.
During his tenure from 2016 to 2023, Wabote oversaw multiple investments in local infrastructure, including the Brass Free Trade Zone initiative. The EFCC’s ongoing investigation focuses on tracking the disbursed funds and identifying other suspects involved in the alleged misappropriation. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed Wabote’s detention on Wednesday but declined to provide additional details.
