Abdullahi Mustapha, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has denied allegations of arrest and financial misappropriation, describing them as attempts to distract him.
Mustapha, who is also the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), dismissed reports linking him to alleged ₦500 billion misappropriation as misleading.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, he accused unnamed individuals of spreading rumours to undermine his ambition to lead the NBBF.
Mustapha said he remained focused in spite of the allegations, maintaining that the ECN operated under government financial regulations and was not a revenue-generating agency.
“The ECN does not generate any money.
“We are not a revenue-generating agency. We are funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria through appropriation.
“The commission receives funding through the federal government appropriations approved by the National Assembly, with expenditure tied to specific projects and established procurement procedures.
“The public funds are managed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation rather than held in an ECN account,” he said.
The ECN boss added that contracts awarded by the commission complied with due process requirements, including approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), where applicable.
On the EFCC allegations, Mustapha acknowledged the commission’s authority to investigate individuals but said an invitation for questioning did not amount to an arrest.
“Yes, the EFCC has the right to investigate anybody. But what matters is the outcome of that investigation. I was never arrested.
“I was invited, I went, questions were asked, we answered, and I left. I returned to my office and continued working,” he added.
Mustapha also questioned the reported ₦500 billion figure, arguing that it was difficult to reconcile with the commission’s funding and project-award history.
The NBBF presidential hopeful said the allegations had attracted widespread media attention but maintained that they should be assessed against verifiable facts rather than speculation.
He said the commission’s work and achievements had received insufficient attention, despite its role in developing energy policies and long-term plans for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Mustapha insisted that the allegations would not derail his ambition to lead the NBBF, adding that he remained focused on his plans for Nigerian basketball.
The NBBF election is scheduled for Thursday in Abuja.
