Senator Ireti Kingibe Petitioned to ICPC Over Alleged $65,000 Contract Scam

Businessman Claims Lawmaker Collected Funds for Non-Existent Contract, Refunded Only N50m

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 10th National Assembly, has been petitioned before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that she collected $65,000 from a businessman to facilitate a Federal Government contract that allegedly never existed.

The petitioner further alleged that the senator later denied receiving the money, refunded only N50 million out of the N118 million equivalent paid at the time, and threatened to have the businessman arrested when he demanded the outstanding balance of N68 million.

The petition, dated April 27, 2026, was filed by lawyer Elochukwu Obi on behalf of his client, Mr. Nonso Okafor, and addressed to the Chairman of the ICPC, seeking an urgent investigation into the matter and recovery of the outstanding funds.

According to the petition, the transaction began in October 2024 when Mr. Osereme Christian Omofoma, identified as Senator Kingibe’s Senior Legislative Aide, allegedly approached Okafor for financial assistance.

The aide was said to have requested $100,000 on behalf of the senator to meet urgent financial needs, assuring the businessman that the money would either be repaid in full or recovered through Federal Government contracts to be facilitated for him.

The petitioner stated that Okafor was initially hesitant, especially as he did not have the amount requested, but was allegedly pressured into sourcing the funds through loans from friends at high interest rates.

He reportedly succeeded in raising $65,000, which was allegedly paid to the senator in two installments in October 2024, with assurances that the promised contract would materialise within weeks.

However, the petition claimed that months passed without any contract offer.

The petitioner alleged that it later became clear to Okafor that no such contract existed, prompting him to demand a refund.

According to the petition, the senator allegedly denied receiving any money, while efforts to recover the funds through her aide yielded no result.

The petitioner further claimed that after threats of legal action, only N50 million was refunded in May 2025, leaving an unpaid balance of N68 million based on the value of the original payment.

It was also alleged that attempts were made to pressure the businessman into accepting the partial refund as full settlement, with threats of arrest if he continued to demand the balance.

The petitioner maintained that the alleged contract offer was merely a scheme to obtain money from the businessman without intention to repay.

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Kingibe had not publicly responded to the allegations.