Whistleblowers say $350m paid in 2018 was “full and final settlement,” question new request backed by AGF

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed receipt of a petition alleging an attempt to secure an additional $396.6 million for Linas International Limited and Senator Ned Nwoko, despite a prior $350 million payment said to be a “full and final settlement.”

The petition, submitted by the Whistleblowers Network led by George Uboh, was received on April 21, 2026, and logged under reference number EFCC/PET/HQR/1299/2026.

According to the petitioners, a 2018 approval by former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and endorsed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, authorised the payment of $350 million in settlement of all claims related to Paris and London Club loan consultancy services.

They stated that the approval, which directed disbursement from the Excess Crude Account, explicitly described the payment as a “full and final settlement,” thereby closing all related claims.

The group also cited a 2024 EFCC communication confirming that the $350 million had been paid to Linas International Limited and Senator Nwoko.

However, the petition raised concerns over a subsequent request made in November 2024 by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking presidential approval for an additional payment of $396.6 million to the same firm.

The petitioners argued that the request contradicts the earlier settlement and called for an investigation into what they described as possible misrepresentation and abuse of process.

They further referenced recent remarks attributed to Senator Nwoko, in which he reportedly denied receiving the $350 million and claimed he had been cleared by the EFCC.

The petition maintained that any internal distribution of the $350 million does not alter the position that the payment was made under Linas International Limited and Nwoko.

Records cited in the filing show that the $350 million approved in 2018 was shared as follows: $224 million to Linas International Limited, $17 million to its legal counsel, $100 million to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and $9 million for litigation-related expenses.

The EFCC had previously raised concerns over parts of the disbursement, particularly the $100 million linked to entities reportedly not involved in the consultancy.

The petition also pointed to discrepancies in official figures, noting that while the Attorney-General referenced $241 million as payment to Linas, EFCC records indicated $244 million.

The Whistleblowers Network has urged the EFCC to conduct a full investigation into the 2018 payment, the subsequent request for additional funds, and related public statements, and to take appropriate legal action where necessary.

Linas International Limited, through Senator Nwoko, had acted as a consultant in the recovery of Paris Club refunds for states and local governments, linked to deductions made between 1995 and 2002.