Former BPE DG alleges coercion: EFCC pressures for N1 billion refund

Benjamin Dikki, former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), claimed in an FCT High Court on Tuesday that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forced him into committing to refund N1 billion. Dikki, along with his company, Kebna Studio and Communications Limited, faces a four-count charge of bribery and abuse of office.

The charges stem from allegations that Dikki received a N1 billion bribe from Bestworth Insurance Brokers for facilitating the approval of outstanding insurance premiums and claims of deceased and incapacitated staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The offences were said to have occurred between January and February 2015 during his tenure as BPE DG.

Dikki recounted being informed on August 29, 2016, by an EFCC operative that the commission had been searching for him and had arrested his wife and son. Despite not receiving any prior invitations from the anti-graft agency, he agreed to appear at the EFCC office on September 1, 2016.

Upon arrival, Dikki was taken to the team leader, Bashir, who informed him that the investigation was complete, and he needed to write a statement committing to refund the N1 billion. Despite expressing his inability to make such a commitment, Dikki claimed the operatives insisted and later detained him in the commission’s cell from 6 pm to 7:40 pm.

Dikki asserted that he was neither with his lawyer nor advised to get one when writing his statements. He claimed that Bashir told him he was detaining himself due to lengthy statements and that committing to a refund would secure his release. To secure his freedom, Dikki arranged for a N50 million payment to EFCC, leading to his release the following day.

Under cross-examination, Dikki maintained that he was not arrested by EFCC but wrote statements after being cautioned. He alleged harassment and psychological torture during the process.

The trial-within-trial was adjourned until January 16, 2024, for the adoption of processes.