EFCC Begins Investigation Of 146 Christian Pilgrim Commission Officials

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) over allegations of misappropriation of public funds.

A source within the anti-graft agency disclosed that 146 NCPC staff, including both serving and retired officers, have been summoned to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja for questioning.

“The EFCC is currently investigating the NCPC, and we have invited about 146 staff members for questioning. They have been assigned specific dates between Monday and Friday to report at the EFCC headquarters,” a source told The PUNCH.

An internal memo dated January 16 and signed by Assistant Director APD, Chukwura Frank, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, confirmed the invitations.

Titled Re: Invitation by EFCC on Investigation of Misappropriation of Public Funds, the memo instructed the invited staff to bring their international passports to the EFCC office.

I am directed to inform you that the EFCC has invited 146 officers of the Commission (both serving and retired) for an interview and to bring their international passports for this purpose,” the memo stated. It added that the interviews would take place at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, starting at 10:00 am on the dates indicated.

The memo listed senior officials, including the Assistant Chief Accountant, Principal Procurement Officer, and Principal Planning Officer, among others, scheduled to appear on various dates from January 22 to January 27, 2025.

Efforts to reach the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and NCPC spokesperson, Celestine Ogugua, for comments were unsuccessful by the aforementioned publication.

A staff member who spoke anonymously dismissed the development as routine. “It’s a regular check on the commission’s records. There’s nothing unusual or alarming about it,” the source said.