President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Adegboyega Fasasi, and Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO), Usman Shugaba, have reportedly been implicated in a $1.5 million bribery scandal linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the security duo allegedly facilitated access for embattled NNPC Group CEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, to meet President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after reportedly receiving a bribe. The meeting took place at 11 a.m. on June 10.
Ojulari is under investigation for alleged money laundering involving transfers to AA&R Investment Group, owned by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—Tinubu’s main rival in the 2023 elections.
“The President was angry after security reports linked Ojulari to questionable financial transactions with a company owned by Atiku Abubakar’s son-in-law,” a source said. “The President accused Ojulari of using NNPC funds to indirectly support political opponents.”
Bashir-Haske was arrested by the EFCC in July for alleged money laundering. During interrogation, he reportedly revealed that $1.5 million was given to Fasasi and Shugaba to facilitate Ojulari’s meeting with the President. Fasasi allegedly issued Bashir-Haske a Presidential Villa access tag granting unrestricted entry.
A source familiar with the EFCC investigation stated:
“Fasasi and Shugaba collected $1.5 million from a close associate of Ojulari to facilitate a meeting with the President. Fasasi even promised to use his influence with the EFCC to help Bashir-Haske, though he had no actual connection with the agency.”
Another source claimed this was not an isolated incident, noting that Fasasi and other security officials had previously collected $500,000 in December 2024 from a Niger Delta militant to facilitate a contract. “Fasasi has abused his office several times, defrauding and tarnishing the image of the President, while remaining untouchable due to backing from top government officials,” the source added.
Fasasi’s Past Controversies
In October 2024, the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Tosin Ajayi, reportedly removed Fasasi as CSO to Tinubu and replaced him with Rasheed Atanda Lawal. However, Fasasi allegedly refused to vacate the Presidential Villa, citing backing from state governors and influential figures who had allegedly paid him to maintain access to the President.
Sources within the Villa accused Fasasi of routinely accepting bribes to screen visitors, stating:
“The CSO refused to leave because powerful people from whom he collected money insisted he stay. The logic is that if he leaves, they’d have to bribe the new person afresh to see Tinubu.”
The scandal has intensified concerns about corruption and the abuse of office among top security personnel in the Presidential Villa.
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