Former Speaker, 14 others arrested over money laundering

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Command, have arrested former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Thomas Sule, along with 14 other ex-lawmakers, over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.

The arrests, carried out on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, stem from petitions filed by concerned citizens accusing the former legislators of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and manipulating procurement procedures during their brief tenure.

Among those arrested are Gwottson Fom, Sani Abubakar, Jwe Philip Gwom, Thomas Dantong, Happiness Mathew Akawu, Cornelius Dotyok, Agbalak Ibrahim, Danjuma Azi, Fwangje Bala Ndat, Salome Tanimu Wanglet, Namba Rimuyat, Nimchak Rims, Ishaku Maren, and Paul Datugun.

Preliminary findings by the EFCC indicate that the lawmakers spent just six months in office, during which the Plateau State Government allegedly purchased luxury vehicles worth N2.5 billion for their use. Rather than returning the vehicles upon leaving office, the former legislators reportedly took them away, and efforts to recover them have so far failed.

Consequently, the state government was forced to spend an additional N2 billion to acquire new vehicles for the current assembly members.

The EFCC has confirmed that the former Speaker and his colleagues will be formally charged in court soon.