Abdullahi Inde Dikko, former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, reportedly admitted to owning properties worth about $50 million in Dubai during discussions with anti-corruption investigators.
According to the report, Dikko returned to Nigeria appearing visibly ill after being declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over corruption allegations. He was said to be battling prostate cancer at the time and was reportedly in a critical health condition.
Sources familiar with the investigation claimed the former customs chief acknowledged ownership of the Dubai assets but denied having properties in other countries.
He reportedly maintained that his assets in Nigeria were limited to a large residence in Abuja and a multi-billion naira farm in Katsina State.
Investigators were said to have avoided detaining him immediately due to concerns over his health, fearing that his condition could worsen in custody and complicate efforts to recover the assets allegedly linked to him abroad.
Dikko had faced multiple allegations during and after his tenure at the customs service, including accusations related to corruption and document forgery, all of which generated widespread controversy at the time.
The revelations added to ongoing scrutiny of former public officials under anti-graft investigations, especially those accused of moving large assets outside Nigeria.
