Sextortion: US Consulate, FBI Laud EFCC, Seek Enhanced Information Sharing

The United States Consulate in Lagos and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, have commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its investigative effectiveness and sustained efforts in combating sextortion and transnational financial crimes.
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The commendation came on Monday, July 6, 2026, during a courtesy visit by Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the United States Consulate, SSA James Smith, and SSA Thomas Pepper of the Cyber Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters, to the Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Speaking during the interactive session, Smith stated that the visit aimed to strengthen the existing collaboration between the U.S. Consulate and the Commission particularly in the area of information sharing in combating criminal activities involving both Nigerians and foreigners.

He emphasized that closer cooperation would enhance information gathering and intelligence sharing, particularly in ongoing efforts to combat sextortion, cybercrime and other transnational crimes.

Also speaking, Pepper thanked the Commission for the opportunity for the engagement, adding that “Already, we have been enjoying a robust collaboration and partnership with the EFCC in so many cases.

“But I want to state that we are willing to improve the timeliness and efficiency of the investigative information we share with the EFCC.”

According to him, enhanced targeted information sharing would further strengthen the working relationship between the two agencies in tackling sextortion.

He noted that sextortion had become a priority issue in the United States and proposed the establishment of a joint team to facilitate intelligence gathering and information sharing on cases reported to the Commission, as well as requests made by the EFCC to the FBI.

While talking about the proposed joint operation, he pleaded that the Commission expedite investigations into sextortion cases, adding the FBI was working on obtaining additional identifiers that would be shared with the Commission.

Responding, Kaltungo thanked the delegation for the visit, and assured them of utmost cooperation where necessary.

He said:” Our doors are always open for collaboration. We also maintain similar collaborations with other countries and international partners.

“However, we do need your assistance and support to enable us to track and apprehend these perpetrators in good time.

“ The availability of tracking tools will help in making our work faster.

“ I assure you of our continued cooperation and support ; and we are here to assist.”

Kaltungo also assured the delegation that the Commission would expedite investigations into the cases presented by the FBI.

FBI Laud EFCC

In his remarks, the Head, Investigations, ACE11 Moses Oguzi, said the Commission had enjoyed a robust collaboration with the US Government and the FBI over the years. He, however, urged the FBI to provide a framework for the proposed operation in order to steer the Commission in the specific direction.

He also sought clarification on whether the proposed collaboration would be limited to computer-related fraud or extended to other forms of financial crime, given the increasing incidence of visa fraud.

Responding, Smith assured that a list would be provided as “we have a lot of cases. Also, relevant information tailored to the agreed areas of interest will also be shared to avoid overwhelming the EFCC with unnecessary data.”
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NNPC Calls For Stronger Energy Ecosystem Collaboration, Outlines Strategic Vision For Nigeria’s Energy Future

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has called for stronger collaboration across Nigeria’s energy industry to unlock Africa’s vast energy potential, saying partnerships remain the key to driving investment, industrialisation and sustainable growth.
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Ojulari made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 25th NOG Energy Week at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, where he also highlighted significant operational, commercial and financial milestones achieved over the past year, under his stewardship.

He disclosed that NNPC Ltd recorded an average 98 per cent recovery across its five crude oil export terminals between April 2025 and May 2026, compared with operational lows of about one per cent at the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal in June 2022.

Ojulari also announced that Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen to 1.71 million barrels per day—the highest level in five years—while NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL) achieved a record production of 365,000 barrels per day.

He added that gas production reached 7.5 billion standard cubic feet per day, driven by the successful completion of the River Niger crossing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline and the commissioning of the ANOH Gas Processing Plant.

According to him, NNPC Ltd maintained 100 per cent compliance with all Joint Venture cash call obligations throughout 2025 and up to June 2026, while sustaining its drive toward achieving crude oil production of two million barrels per day.

Since the last NOG Energy Week, he said, the Company has signed landmark Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) covering 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day for long-term LNG feed gas and 750 million standard cubic feet per day for domestic industrial gas supply to DFL FZE and Dangote Refinery.

“These agreements represent more than US$20 billion in associated investments, with seven additional commercial transactions in the pipeline,” Ojulari said.

The GCEO further revealed that NNPC Ltd resumed full monthly remittances to the Federation Account in July 2025, reinstated monthly business performance reporting and hosted its first-ever earnings call in November 2025, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to transparency, accountability and investor confidence.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, from isolated projects to integrated value chains, and from exporting raw resources to building competitive industrial economies.

“At NNPC Limited, we see ourselves not just as an energy producer but as an ecosystem builder—connecting capital, technology, policy, talent and markets to create lasting value for Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

Describing the energy sector as one of the world’s most interconnected industries, Ojulari said no single organisation could unlock Africa’s energy potential alone.

Ojulari identified fragmented collaboration as one of the biggest barriers to Africa’s energy transformation, noting that weak linkages between resource owners and operators, investors and projects, innovation and execution, and policy and capital continue to constrain growth.

Despite holding about 17 per cent of global natural gas reserves alongside vast oil and renewable energy resources, he observed that Africa still attracts only a small share of global energy investment.

He urged governments, national oil companies, investors, regulators, financiers, academia and service providers to work together to position Africa as a global hub for energy investment, technology and value creation.

NNPC

“The future of African energy will not be determined solely by the resources beneath our soil, but by the quality of the partnerships we forge above it. The opportunity before us is extraordinary. The responsibility is ours. And the time to act is now.”

Now in its 25th year, the NOG Energy Week is Africa’s premier oil, gas, and energy conference and exhibition, bringing together global energy leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to discuss the future of energy, sustainability, and industrial growth in Nigeria and beyond.

Andy Odeh
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Limited
Abuja
July 7, 2026
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El-Rufai, Medical Doctor Abuse Privilege, Violate Court Order – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed concern over developments surrounding a court-approved medical visit granted to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is currently in the Commission’s custody.
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The Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, for an accelerated hearing of the criminal charges pending against the defendant. On the first day of hearing, however, Mallam El-Rufai did not appear before the court.

During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that when officers of the Commission prepared to convey the defendant to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting that he wished to consult his personal doctor.

The prosecution further informed the court that no prior request had been made to the Commission for such medical consultation and that, when asked by the Commission’s medical doctor, the defendant reportedly indicated that he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, had requested that he see his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.

Following arguments by counsel, the court adjourned further proceedings until July 15, 2026, to hear the defendant’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the directive of the Honourable Chief Judge of Kaduna State on the pending petition for transfer of the case.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in full compliance with the court’s directives as well as its statutory obligation to respect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody, the Commission facilitated the defendant’s request to receive medical attention under appropriate security arrangements.

During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy. At the request of members of his family, the officers remained outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was purportedly examining him.

The Commission was, however, subsequently confronted with photographs posted on Facebook at 2:00 pm Nigerian time by one of his political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, stating categorically that they had just concluded a meeting with El Rufai. The picture posted on Facebook also had Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan, and three others with El Rufai at a time he was supposedly having a medical consultation.

The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!

The ICPC has been very patient, professional, and courteous in managing Mallam El-Rufai and other suspects and defendants in its custody. However, it has become very clear that these professional courtesies have been abused and will therefore no longer be tolerated.

The ICPC will bring to the attention of the Courts the flagrant disobedience of court orders by the defendant.

El-Rufai, ICPC

The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted.

Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested for making false statements.

At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation.

The ICPC reiterates its resolve to continue to operate within the ambit of the law at all times.

The Commission also wants to make it categorically clear that it will not tolerate, under any guise, the abuse of its goodwill by anybody or group of persons.

J. Okor Odey
Spokesperson/Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC.
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