EFCC Arrests Fake Journalist, Ernesto Chukwukamma for Alleged Extortion in $4.5bn PTF Fraud Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a 63-year-old suspect, Ernesto Chukwudum Chukwukamma, for alleged impersonation and extortion in connection with the ongoing investigation into a $4.5 billion Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) fraud.

According to a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Chukwukamma falsely presented himself as a journalist affiliated with the commission and allegedly deceived a petitioner into paying N2 million in exchange for halting the investigation into the alleged fraud. The suspect reportedly claimed that members of a supposed correspondents’ chapel attached to the EFCC possessed a damaging report implicating the petitioner in the misappropriation of funds during the winding down of the PTF.

Chukwukamma was arrested while attempting to withdraw the N2 million he had allegedly extorted from the petitioner. The EFCC has confirmed that the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations

EFCC Arrests Fake Journalist for Claiming to Stop Investigation of Alleged $4.5bn PTF Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a fake Journalist, Ernesto Chukwudum Chukwukamma for alleged extortion, impersonation and obtaining N2,000,000.00 ( Two… pic.twitter.com/KLMiZI1Ci4

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 3, 2025