Multi-Million Naira Appointment Scam: My Report, By Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho

An Abuja-based popular figure, HRH Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, has accused a suspected fraud syndicate of orchestrating a multi-million-naira appointment scam, involving alleged impersonation of top security officials and false promises of federal government positions.

Below is her detailed personal account of how she became involved in 2023 through a state official.

INTRODUCTION

I, HRH. Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, make this report as my personal statement, in good faith and to the best of my knowledge, for the purpose of formally documenting the facts and circumstances surrounding these events and to enable the appropriate authorities to investigate and take necessary action.This report is respectfully submitted to place on record a detailed account of events involving alleged false representations, impersonation of government security officials, and the obtaining of substantial sums of money under false pretences, all under the guise of facilitating federal government appointments.

INITIAL INTRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2023)

In or around November 2023, I was introduced to a Muslim cleric by a former Commissioner for lands in Nasarawa State, Mr. Abu Miliki.The cleric introduced to me was Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir. The cleric initially visited my residence to offer prayers and returned approximately two weeks later.During subsequent discussions, I informed Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir that I was interested in securing an appointment under the newly inaugurated Federal Government. He informed me that he knew an individual with strong connections within the Presidency and the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) office who could assist in facilitating my request.

INTRODUCTION TO MALAM IBRAHIM GIDADO (28 NOVEMBER 2023)

On 28 November 2023, Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir introduced me to a man named Malam Ibrahim Gidado, also referred to by the title “Sarkin Yanma”.During this meeting, Malam Ibrahim Gidado represented himself as:• A serving official working directly with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA);• A former officer of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA);• A Director within the Department of State Services (DSS) who had been transferred to theNSA; and• An individual who worked directly with the Presidential Villa on classified national security assignments.
These representations were made in the presence of the cleric, Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir.

FIRST DEMAND AND PAYMENT – ₦10,000,000

About one week after the introduction, I met again with Malam Ibrahim Gidado, in the presence of the cleric. During this meeting, I clearly stated my interest in a federal appointment.Malam Ibrahim Gidado assured me that the appointment was “doable” and stated that he had the necessary access and contacts within the Presidential Villa. He demanded an initial sum of ₦10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira), which he described as:• Mobilisation and facilitation expenses;• Costs for consultations and inquiries; and• Security screening and clearance on my person.He expressly refused bank transfers, stating that due to the sensitive nature of his duties,electronic transactions could implicate him.Accordingly, I handed over ₦10,000,000 in cash to Malam Ibrahim Gidado in front of ECOWAS building here in Abuja , with Malam Hassan Ibrahim Nasir present as a witness.

SECOND DEMAND – ₦50,000,000 EQUIVALENT(DECEMBER 2023)

On 13 December 2023, I followed up on the progress of the supposed screening. Malam Ibrahim Gidado informed me that:• The screening had been completed;• I was qualified; and• I would need to meet with the President to conclude the process.He then demanded an additional ₦50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira), allegedly required to:• Facilitate access to the Presidential Villa; and• Lobby for a presidential audience.On 15 December 2023, I handed over ₦50,000,000 equivalent in United States Dollars, in cash, to Malam Ibrahim Gidado.

FALSE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT (17DECEMBER 2023)

On 17 December 2023, Malam Ibrahim Gidado contacted me and stated that:• Access had been created; and• The President was ready to see me that day.I cleared my schedule in anticipation of the meeting. However, later that same night, he called again and stated that the President had embarked on an urgent trip after seeing other dignitaries, and that the meeting would be rescheduled to January 2024. During this period, he also instructed me to prepare souvenirs for the President, which I did and still have in my possession.

SHIFT IN NARRATIVE AND NEW DEMANDS(JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2024)

On 24 January 2024, upon further inquiry, Malam Ibrahim Gidado began to downplay the necessity of a presidential meeting, stating that:• The appointment could be concluded without a direct meeting; and• Necessary inquiries had already been made.He asked me to consider available positions, including:• Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); and• Ministerial appointments.He later advised that a humanitarian-related ministerial appointment would be most suitable, given my philanthropic activities.

DEMAND OF USD 1,000,000 FOR MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT

Malam Ibrahim Gidado stated that:• The total cost for the humanitarian ministerial appointment was USD 1,000,000;• USD 800,000 was to be paid upfront; and• The balance of USD 200,000 would be paid after public announcement.Relying on his repeated representations, I made the following cash payments:• 25 January 2024 – USD 200,000• 28 January 2024 – USD 200,000• 3 February 2024 – USD 100,000Total paid: USD 500,000, all in cash.He further instructed me to publicise my humanitarian activities online to enhance “feasibility.”

ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR OTHER APPOINTMENTS

On 6 February 2024, Malam Ibrahim Gidado further requested that I:• Source a candidate for the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, claiming the incumbent was about to be removed; and• Identify individuals from Plateau State interested in replacing a minister from Plateau State who allegedly returned to the Senate following court proceedings.

REQUEST TO SOURCE CANDIDATES FOR ADDITIONAL STRATEGIC POSITIONS

Following the earlier demands and payments, Malam Ibrahim Gidado informed me that several high-level federal positions were either vacant or about to be declared vacant.
He specifically stated that:• The position of Managing Director of NNPC Limited was about to be vacated;• A ministerial position had become available following the return of a serving minister to theSenate; and• The position of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Ecological Matters was alsoavailable.He requested that I assist in sourcing interested and financially capable candidates.

INTRODUCTION OF INTERESTED PERSONS

Sani Dantanko – NBET Managing Director.

One of the persons introduced was Mr. Sani Dantanko, who expressed interest in the position of Managing Director of Niger Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET).I introduced Mr. Sani Dantanko to Malam Ibrahim Gidado. Upon discussion, Gidado demanded a sum of ₦100,000,000 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the position, stating that:• An initial payment of ₦50,000,000 was required; and• The balance could be paid subsequently.Sani Later paid in ₦80,000,000 into my account for the appointment . This money was paidin two tranches 50 million naira and 30 million naira.

CHANGE IN PAYMENT STRUCTURE AND COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT

At this stage, Malam Ibrahim Gidado stated that due to the sensitive nature of his duties, he could no longer personally receive funds, whether in cash or transfer.He expressly instructed that:• All funds from interested candidates should be paid to me, either through my personal or corporate bank accounts; and• I would thereafter remit the funds to him as agreed.Given the significant sums involved, I insisted that a formal written agreement be executed to protect all parties, particularly on the understanding that any appointment that failed to materialise would result in a refund. Malam Ibrahim Gidado agreed.

EXECUTION OF WRITTEN AGREEMENT

A written agreement was executed between myself and Malam Ibrahim Gidado, wherein:• He formally acknowledged receipt of USD 500,000 earlier paid to him by me;• It was agreed that any additional monies paid by third parties seeking appointments would be received by me on his behalf; and• Such monies would thereafter be remitted to him in accordance with his instructions. Both parties duly signed the agreement.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT – YAKUMUT ALHASSAN

Another individual introduced was Mr. Yakumut Alhassan, who expressed interest in the ministerial appointment. Malam Ibrahim Gidado demanded a sum of ₦100,000,000 for this appointment.Subsequently, Mr. Yakumut Alhassan paid a total sum of ₦50,000,000, which was represented as part-payment.

SSA ON ECOLOGICAL MATTERS – OSITA OPARA

Mr. Osita Opara expressed interest in the position of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Ecological Matters.For this position, Malam Ibrahim Gidado demanded the sum of ₦50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira), Mr. Osita Opara paid 10 million naira only.

FAILED NNPC LIMITED TRANSACTION

With respect to the position of Managing Director of NNPC Limited, another interested individual, identified as Mr. Cyprain (surname unknown), indicated willingness to pay a sum of USD1,000,000,000 (One Billion United States Dollars). However, Mr. Cyprain insisted on providing a bank guarantee not cash. Malam Ibrahim Gidado rejected this proposal and insisted that all transactions are to be paid upfront.As a result, the transaction was abandoned.

LAPSE OF TIME AND CONTINUED ASSURANCES

Following the withdrawal of Mr. Cyprain from the NNPC MD process after his proposal of a bank guarantee was rejected by Mr. Malam Gidado, time began to lapse without any concreteprogress.From February through June, I continuously followed up on Mr. Gidado. He kept assuring me that everything was in process.

INTRODUCTION OF MRS. SHOLOYE

On or about 24 August, I was introduced to Mrs. Sholoye by Sheikh Kaganna. Sheikh Kaganna represented to me that Mrs. Sholoye was interested in the position of Group Managing Director of NNPC, and that she had an oil and gas background, having worked with oil companies in the past.I informed her that I was not certain whether the position was still vacant, but that I would make inquiries. Upon contacting Malam Gidado, he confirmed that the position could still be worked on. Consequently, arrangements were made for a meeting in Abuja.On 24th and 25th August, Mrs. Sholoye was physically present in Abuja and met with Mr. Gidado in the presence of Sheikh Kaganna. During this face-to-face meeting, Mr. Gidado informed her that securing the position would cost USD 1,000,000 (One Million Dollars). Mrs. Sholoye agreed and proposed that payment be made in tranches, to which Mr. Gidado consented.

PAYMENTS MADE BY MRS. SHOLOYE

Following the meeting and based on assurances received directly from Mr. Gidado:
1. 2. 3. First Tranche – ₦200,000,000 (August) Mrs. Sholoye paid ₦200 million shortly after the meeting. She stated that she intended to return to Lagos to conduct spiritual consultations, as she placed strong belief in spirituality. After her spiritual consultations, she informed me that she received a “green signal” and further stated that not only would her NNPC appointment succeed, but that my own ministerial ambition would also materialize.
Second Tranche – ₦385,000,000 (2 September)On or about 2 September, Mrs. Sholoye made an additional payment of ₦385million. Out of this amount: * ₦85,000,000 was specifically earmarked for mobilization and logistics, following Mr. Gidado’s explanation that underground work was required.* This included mobilizing youths from the Niger Delta to protest against thethen-serving NNPC MD, Mr. Kyari, to pressure the government into hisremoval.* Funds were used to transport, lodge, feed, and organize these youths, as wellas for media publications, social media campaigns, and newsletters.The remaining ₦300 million, together with the earlier ₦200 million, was intended for Mr. Gidado and was remitted to him, albeit routed through my account as a channel.

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO GIDADO

In addition to Mrs. Sholoye’s funds:• I personally gave ₦150,000,000 to Mr. Gidado in September.• On 7 October, I gave him another ₦50,000,000.• These sums, together with earlier remittances including USD 500,000 and other monies previously acknowledged by Mr. Gidado, constituted part payments towards my own anticipated appointment.

FAILURE OF APPOINTMENTS AND BREAKDOWN OF COMMUNICATION

By November , official announcements were made, and a new individual was appointed as HUMANITARIAN MINISTER. At this point, it became clear that the process had failed.Neither Mrs. Sholoye, myself, nor other interested parties received any appointment as at this time. Due to the failure of my own appointment anticipation, every other person including Mrs. Sholoye declined interest in the whole process and requested for a refund.From November, I made repeated attempts to contact Mr. Gidado. By late November and into December, he stopped responding entirely and went incommunicado. I subsequently contacted the clergyman who originally introduced me to Mr. Gidado, requesting that he intervene. Despite his efforts, Mr. Gidado remained unreachable.Immediately Refunds were demanded. Malam Gidado went incommunicado.

EFCC INVOLVEMENT

Mrs. Sholoye had earlier written to me in November, demanding a refund. I officially responded in December, requesting additional time.On the 31st of December 2024 , I received an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which I honored alongside my legal counsel. This invitation followed a petition written by Mrs. Sholoye, alleging fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation,and obtaining by false pretence.At the EFCC:• I made a statement under caution, explaining my role and the full transactionhistory.• I also counter-petitioned Mr. Malam Gidado, stating clearly that I was not the final beneficiary of the funds and that I merely acted as a conduit through which monies were transferred to him. Mr. Gidado was at large at the time, making it difficult for the EFCC to effect his arrest. The EFCC subsequently consolidated the matter under a special unit (Special Duty Committee1), with ACE Babangida appointed as the Investigating Officer.
Bail and Legal RepresentationI was granted administrative bail in February. I thereafter formally engaged Law Corridor as my legal practitioners. My lawyers wrote to the EFCC requesting, among other things, that investigations be expanded to fully trace and recover the funds from Mr. Malam Gidado, who was the principal recipient and beneficiary of the monies in question. Following my grant of administrative bail in February 2025, my health deteriorated significantly. At the time, I was already battling serious medical conditions, including:• A brain tumor, which was rapidly growing;• Diabetes mellitus, which I had lived with for a considerable period; and• Associated complications such as hypertension and other ancillary medical issues.
These developments took a severe toll on my physical and mental capacity. Even at the time I honored the EFCC invitation in February 2025, I was extremely ill and only managed to attend in the company of my lawyers, solely out of respect for the Commission.

Request for Medical Travel and EFCC’s Response

Upon my formal engagement of Law Corridor as my legal representatives, they wrote to the EFCC requesting that I be granted permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment, as my condition had become a medical emergency. My doctors advised that I required urgent surgery, and that the rapid progression of the brain tumor was no longer manageable within available medical facilities in Nigeria.
The EFCC, however, declined the request for foreign medical travel.As a result, I was left with no alternative but to seek treatment within Lagos, moving between different hospitals. During this period, my condition worsened significantly. I was frequently incapacitated and unconscious, and I was not in full control of my faculties. My medical care and movement were handled primarily by my family members, particularly my relatives.
Throughout this period, my legal representatives consistently kept the EFCC informed that I was on medical sojourn, critically ill, and unable to physically attend invitations due to incapacitation.

HEALTH CHALLENGES AND INCAPACITATION

From February 2025 through November 2025, I remained largely incapacitated due to my medical condition. At no point did I deliberately evade the EFCC or refuse to cooperate with investigations. Rather, my inability to attend was purely a consequence of serious and documented health challenges.
My lawyers repeatedly communicated to the Commission that I was hospitalized and medically unfit to travel or appear.

ADDITIONAL PETITIONS AND COURT ACTIONS

Mr. Sani Dantanko later petitioned EFCC, the Police and instituted a civil action, which is pending before the court.

ARREST OF MR. GIDADO

Sometime in November 2025, I was informed that Mr. Malam Gidado had been arrested by the EFCC. My legal representatives were contacted in relation to this development. However, due to my ongoing medical incapacitation, I was unable to attend or make any personal appearance.
My lawyers acted on my behalf during this period. I am not aware of the exact contents of Mr. Gidado’s statements to the EFCC or the conditions under which he was later granted administrative bail, as I was medically unfit to participate or follow developments closely atthat time.

Thank You