Ex-BPE DG Dikki: EFCC Pressured Me Into N1 Billion Refund

In a recent court appearance, Benjamin Dikki, the former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), claimed that EFCC operatives compelled him to commit to repaying N1 billion. Dikki, alongside his company, Kebna Studio and Communications Limited, faces prosecution on charges related to bribery and abuse of office before Justice Yusuf Halilu.

The charges stem from an alleged N1 billion bribe received from Bestworth Insurance Brokers. This sum was purportedly given for Dikki’s involvement in expediting the approval of outstanding insurance payments and claims for deceased and incapacitated staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Dikki revealed that he learned about the EFCC’s interest in him on Aug. 29, 2016, when an operative informed him that the commission had been searching for him and had arrested his wife and son. Despite not receiving any prior invitations, he agreed to appear at the EFCC office on Sept. 1, 2016.

Upon arrival, he was taken to the team leader, Bashir, who asserted that the investigation was concluded and insisted Dikki write a statement committing to refund the N1 billion. Dikki, hesitant to make such a commitment, recounted that he was detained in the commission’s cell from 6 pm to 7:40 pm.

Dikki emphasized that he was not with his lawyer, Ali Suberu, during the statement-writing process and was not advised to have legal representation. To secure his release, he arranged for a N50 million payment to the EFCC, which arrived late on Sept. 5, 2016.

During cross-examination, Dikki clarified that he was not formally arrested but felt compelled to write statements under caution. He asserted that the operatives dictated the content of his statements, describing the experience as harassment and psychological torture.

The trial is set to continue, with Justice Halilu adjourning until Jan. 16, 2024, for the adoption of processes in the ongoing trial-within-trial.