The arrest of the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has thrown the federal energy agency into the spotlight, as investigators intensify probes into an alleged N500 billion money laundering scandal.

The arrest was reportedly carried out in Abuja on Wednesday, with EFCC operatives said to be scrutinizing several financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud.

A senior source familiar with the investigation told Vanguard that the Energy Commission boss was taken into custody by anti-graft officials and is currently undergoing interrogation at the EFCC headquarters.

“He was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday and remains in the custody of the EFCC,” the source disclosed.

“Investigators are questioning him over alleged money laundering involving more than N500 billion, and he is expected to spend the night at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja,” the source added.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were unsuccessful at the time this report was filed.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comments when contacted.