The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Timber Kesiye Wabote, former head of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). Wabote faces accusations of embezzling $35 million in public funds, initially allocated to support the development of the Brass Project in Bayelsa State.

This arrest follows the earlier detention of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited. Akindele is facing charges related to money laundering and diverting funds connected to the same project.

The Brass Project was intended to develop an Energy Infrastructure Park in the Okpoama Community of Bayelsa, featuring a refinery, gas plant, power plant, jetty, data center, and storage facility, capable of processing 2,000 barrels of oil per day. During Wabote’s time as NCDMB Executive Secretary, the board reportedly invested $35 million into this project.

However, by December 2020, the project was mostly abandoned despite the significant funds committed. Investigators found that Akindele was paid the $35 million to manage and complete the refinery and associated facilities. Reports indicate that much of the funds were misused, with minimal evidence of progress on the project.

Investigations also suggest that Wabote may have been involved in other questionable investments, such as the Brass Free Trade Zone initiative, raising further questions about his financial management during his NCDMB leadership from 2016 to 2023.

Wabote is currently held at the EFCC’s Abuja office as the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of public funds continues. Other individuals linked to the case are also under investigation. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Wabote’s arrest but provided no additional details at this time.