A combined picture of Gbenga Komolafe and Aisha Achimugu
By Victory Oghene
These are indeed troubling moments for Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as he’s allegedly entangled in a $5 million oil block scandal with Aisha Achimugu who was recently declared wanted the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud and money laundering.
Insiders squeal that the deal is devoid of transparency.
Achimugu reportedly secured a lucrative oil block after the suspicious transaction. The deal, facilitated under the guise of “strategic partnership encouragement,” has raised concerns among industry watchers.
Sources allege that Komolafe orchestrated the deal through proxies to avoid direct links. A senior NUPRC official, speaking anonymously, claimed, “This wasn’t an isolated case. Komolafe has turned oil block allocations into a cash-and-carryn business.”
Komolafe, confident in his political protection, allegedly boasted of his immunity, saying, “They can’t remove me.
The transaction undermines Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, designed to foster transparency. Analysts warn that such corruption deters investors and deprives the nation of critical revenue for infrastructure and public services.
Komolafe’s past is equally controversial. As a key figure in the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), he was implicated in the multi-billion-naira fuel subsidy fraud under ex-Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Court documents alleged that he facilitated the movement of $70 million in cash for Diezani, further cementing his reputation as an enabler of graft.
Industry experts say Komolafe’s schemes exemplify a culture where oil wealth benefits the connected few while ordinary Nigerians suffer.
Advocacy groups are demanding investigations, but skepticism remains given his political ties.
“If Komolafe remains untouchable, it signals that corruption has fully captured Nigeria’s oil sector,” an NEITI official warned.
For Aisha Achimugu, she came to limelight after organising a 7-day lavish birthday party at the $132,000 per night calivigny Island and currently being investigated for alleged $150 million fraud by the EFCC.
According to court filing by the anti-graft agency, Achimugu’s company actually acquired two oil blocs, Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO at the cost of $25.3 million.
The payments were allegedly made through bureau de change operators.
The EFCC was looking at clues on the likely sources of the funds.
The commission also alleged that the acquisition of the oil blocs was not transparent enough.
Efforts to speak to Engr Gbenga Komolafe. Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission on our findings failed as calls to his mobile phone were not answered neither were the text messages acknowledged.
