Two senior security aides to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been linked to a $1.5 million bribery scandal allegedly involving the embattled Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, according to Sahara Reporters.
According to multiple sources, the President’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Adegboyega Fasasi, and Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, allegedly facilitated Ojulari’s access to the President at the Aso Rock Villa after receiving the payment. Tinubu reportedly met with the NNPC boss at 11 a.m. on June 10.
Ojulari is currently under investigation for alleged money laundering linked to the transfer of millions of dollars to AA&R Investment Group, a company owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—Tinubu’s main rival in the 2023 elections.
Sources said the President grew visibly angry after intelligence reports tied Ojulari to suspicious financial dealings with Haske, who also allegedly coordinated a controversial luxury retreat for NNPC executives in Kigali, Rwanda. “The President accused Ojulari of using NNPC funds to indirectly support opposition figures,” one source revealed.
In July, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Haske for alleged money laundering. During interrogation, Haske reportedly admitted that Ojulari had secured access to Tinubu through the President’s security aides after a $1.5 million payoff.
“The pair collected $1.5 million from Ojulari’s associate, Bashir-Haske, to arrange the meeting with Mr President,” a source familiar with the EFCC probe said. He further alleged that Fasasi issued Haske a Villa access tag, granting him unrestricted entry to the seat of power, and even promised to lobby the EFCC chairman on his behalf—though the attempt reportedly failed.
Investigators also uncovered a similar incident in December 2024, when Fasasi and other Villa officials allegedly received $500,000 from a Niger Delta militant to facilitate a contract. “Fasasi has abused his office several times, collecting bribes to grant access, defrauding and tarnishing the President’s image,” one source alleged.
Fasasi’s Checkered History
This is not the first time Fasasi has faced controversy. In October 2024, SaharaReporters revealed that the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Tosin Ajayi, had redeployed him from his role as Tinubu’s CSO, replacing him with Rasheed Atanda Lawal. However, Fasasi reportedly refused to vacate his post, allegedly relying on the backing of state governors and other influential figures to remain in the Villa.
Villa insiders have repeatedly accused Fasasi of running a gatekeeping system in which access to the President was allegedly determined by bribes. “The logic of those supporting his stay is strange,” one insider said at the time. “They claim that if he leaves, they will have to bribe the new person afresh.”
Despite mounting allegations of misconduct, Fasasi and Shugaba have so far remained in their posts.
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