A businesswoman and politician, Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, has alleged that she was drawn into a fraudulent scheme involving promises of federal appointments and large cash payments, leading to an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The businesswoman and politician made the revelation in a report she personally signed and submitted to the authorities.
Tejuosho said the matter began in November 2023 when a former Commissioner for Lands in Nasarawa State, Abu Miliki, introduced her to a Muslim cleric, Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir.
According to her, the cleric later introduced her to Malam Ibrahim Gidado, also known as Sarkin Yanma.
She said Gidado allegedly presented himself as a serving official working directly with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), a former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) officer, and a Director in the Department of State Services (DSS) transferred to the NSA.
She noted that Gidado claimed he had direct access to the Presidential Villa and could facilitate her appointment into the Federal Government.
Tejuosho said after expressing interest in securing a federal appointment, Gidado demanded an initial N10 million as mobilisation, consultation, and security screening fees.
“He expressly refused bank transfers, stating that due to the sensitive nature of his duties, electronic transactions could implicate him,” she disclosed.
According to her, she handed over the cash in front of the ECOWAS building in Abuja, with the cleric present as a witness.
She further stated that in December 2023, Gidado informed her that her screening had been completed and demanded another N50 million equivalent in United States dollars to facilitate access to the Presidential Villa and arrange a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
She said she paid the money in cash on December 15, 2023.
She added that Gidado later informed her that the President was ready to see her on December 17, 2025, but later claimed the meeting was postponed because the President had travelled urgently.
According to her, he later shifted the discussion to possible appointments as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) or a ministerial position, eventually suggesting a humanitarian-related ministerial appointment.
She said Gidado then fixed the total cost for the ministerial appointment at $1 million, with $800,000 to be paid upfront.
Tejuosho stated that between January and February 2024, she paid him a total of $500,000 in cash in three tranches.
She said: “Relying on his repeated representations, I made the payments in cash as requested.”
The businesswoman further alleged that Gidado later asked her to source other interested candidates for top federal positions, including Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), ministerial appointments, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Ecological Matters.
She said several individuals were introduced, including Sani Dantanko for the position of Managing Director of Niger Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Yakumut Alhassan for a ministerial appointment, and Osita Opara for the SSA role.
According to her, payments running into hundreds of millions of naira were made by these individuals, with some funds passing through her personal and corporate accounts based on Gidado’s instructions.
Tejuosho said she insisted on a written agreement after the transactions grew larger, and Gidado signed a document acknowledging receipt of the earlier $500,000 and agreeing that failed appointments would attract refunds.
She also alleged that another woman, simply identified as Mrs. Sholoye, seeking the position of Group Managing Director of NNPCL, paid N585 million in tranches after meeting Gidado in Abuja.
Part of the funds, she claimed, was allegedly meant for mobilisation of Niger Delta youths to protest against the then NNPC boss, Mele Kyari, to pressure the government for his removal.
- 2026 May Day: Lagos gives ₦50,000 salary support for workers
- Eve’s Desire: Intricate relationship between money and sex, by Tiwa Says
- Tinubu pens personal message to Idris on 60th birthday
- Dabiri-Erewa hails Nigerian-American basketball star on achievements in China
- Federal Appointment: How I was scammed, used to dupe others — Businesswoman
Tejuosho said she also personally handed Gidado an additional N200 million in September and October 2024.
She said the arrangement collapsed after a new humanitarian minister was officially appointed and none of the promised appointments materialised.
According to her, all interested parties demanded refunds, but Gidado allegedly became unreachable and stopped responding to calls.
She said Sholoye later petitioned the EFCC, accusing her of fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.
Tejuosho said she honoured the EFCC invitation on December 31, 2024 alongside her legal counsel and gave a statement explaining that she was not the final beneficiary of the funds.
She said: “I also counter-petitioned Mr. Malam Gidado, stating clearly that I was not the final beneficiary of the funds and that I merely acted as a conduit.”
She added that Gidado was initially at large, making it difficult for investigators to arrest him, before she was later informed in November 2025 that he had been arrested by the commission.
Tejuosho also said she suffered serious health complications, including a brain tumour, diabetes, and hypertension, which affected her ability to continue attending EFCC invitations.
She maintained that she never deliberately avoided investigators and that her lawyers consistently informed the commission about her medical condition and treatment.
The matter remains under investigation by the EFCC, while one of the affected parties, Sani Dantanko, has also filed a civil case in court.
