The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule, alongside 14 other ex-lawmakers over alleged money laundering and abuse of office.
Their arrest follows petitions submitted by concerned citizens of Plateau State, who accused the former legislators of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and breaching public procurement processes.
The EFCC confirmed the arrest in an official statement released on Wednesday, noting that the affected lawmakers held office briefly before they were removed by a court ruling.
“Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday June 17, 2025 arrested a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Moses Thomas Sule and 14 other members for alleged money laundering.”
“The 14 members are: Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok and Agbalak Ibrahim.”
“Other members are: Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren and Paul Datugun.”
“The former legislators were arrested following claims by some concerned citizens of the state against them for allegedly violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and abuse of procurement processes.”
“Investigation further showed that the said vehicles are valued at N2.5 billion. Upon leaving office, the vehicles were meant to be returned to the state government but were taken away by the legislators and all efforts to retrieve them have proved abortive.”
The EFCC revealed that the lawmakers were in office for only six months, during which the state government provided them with expensive official vehicles.
Despite their short tenure and subsequent removal, the former lawmakers reportedly refused to return the vehicles, prompting the state to spend an additional N2 billion on new ones for current officeholders.
The anti-graft agency said efforts to recover the original vehicles failed, raising concerns over the misuse of public funds and lack of accountability.
According to the EFCC, all those arrested are currently in custody and are expected to be formally charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The agency reiterated its commitment to tackling corruption at all levels and urged citizens to continue reporting suspicious activities involving public officials.
This development has stirred reactions from the public, with many calling for transparency and stricter laws to prevent the misuse of government resources.
