FCCPC Refers Chinese EXCEL-LED, Emmanuel Shoon Patrick to IGP for Criminal Prosecution
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has formally referred Chinese company EXCEL-LED and its Nigerian associate, Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for criminal prosecution. This move, documented in FCCPC letter with reference: FCCPC/DSI/C/M/FC2753 dated 21st January 2026 is in escalation of Nigeria’s crackdown on foreign firms implicated in financial misconduct.
The referral stems from allegations of fund diversion in multi-million naira contracts for LED lighting installations at key Nigerian airports, including the Port Harcourt International Airport. Payments intended for corporate accounts were allegedly rerouted to personal bank accounts, a maneuver that not only evaded taxes but also led to stalled project executions, leaving critical infrastructure upgrades in limbo.
This development follows a hands-on investigative push by Daily Times Nigeria, whose team visited both the FCCPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) offices in Abuja recently.
At the FCCPC, officials confirmed the seamless transfer of case files to the Nigeria Police Force, underscoring the gravity of the evidence compiled against EXCEL-LED and Patrick. The Chinese firm, which secured concessions for supplying and installing energy-efficient LED systems, has come under fire for non-performance despite receiving substantial upfront payments.
Sources familiar with the probe revealed that the diversions involved sums running into millions of naira, with project sites across the country bearing the brunt—dimly lit terminals and unfulfilled promises of modernized aviation facilities.
The Daily Times visit to EFCC painted a picture of bureaucratic hurdles swiftly navigated through established journalistic channels. Initial inquiries hit a wall with unresponsiveness from a lady at the Chairman’s office, but activated contacts within the anti-graft agency promised swift action. Leveraging a specific tracking number provided earlier, they committed to directing the petition directly to a trusted investigative team next week.
This intervention highlights the pivotal role of persistent media advocacy in propelling official responses, especially in cases where systemic delays could otherwise bury leads. The EXCEL-LED scandal is no isolated incident but part of a burgeoning pattern of scrutiny on Chinese firms operating in Nigeria’s public sector.
Over the past year, regulatory bodies and law enforcement have intensified probes into foreign contractors accused of sharp practices, from cyber-enabled fraud rings to outright project abandonment. EXCEL-LED’s operations mirror these trends: securing lucrative deals under the guise of digital infrastructure advancement, only to siphon funds and vanish from accountability radars.
Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, positioned as a local fixer, allegedly facilitated these transactions, bridging the firm with Nigerian concessionaires and exploiting gaps in oversight. Nigeria’s aviation sector, pivotal to the nation’s economic aspirations, has been particularly vulnerable. The LED upgrade projects were earmarked to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and align with President Bola Tinubu’s broader digital transformation agenda. Yet, EXCEL-LED’s failures have reverberated beyond delayed installations.
Tax revenues lost to personal account diversions deprive the federation account of vital funds, while subpar or absent lighting compromises passenger safety and airport aesthetics. At Port Harcourt International Airport, for instance, stakeholders report ongoing blackouts in key areas, forcing reliance on costly generator backups amid rising fuel prices. This referral to the IGP signals a multi-agency synergy, with FCCPC’s consumer protection mandate dovetailing into criminal justice.
Under Dr. Olatunji Bello’s leadership, the FCCPC has pivoted aggressively against exploitative business practices, particularly those involving foreign entities flouting local laws. The commission’s action invokes sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which empowers it to refer matters for prosecution where consumer harm and economic sabotage are evident. Legal experts anticipate charges could encompass fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and breach of contract, potentially leading to asset forfeitures and blacklisting from future bids.
Daily Times’ on-the-ground engagement today underscores the media’s indispensable watchdog function in Nigeria’s democracy. As Abuja Bureau Chief, the visit leveraged deep institutional knowledge to bypass red tape, ensuring the petition’s trajectory remains on track.
EFCC’s internal routing promise next week could unlock forensic audits of bank trails, unmasking accomplices and recovering diverted funds. This comes against a backdrop of heightened vigilance: just last year, similar exposes on Chinese-led consortia in telecoms and energy sectors prompted presidential directives for stricter vetting.
Stakeholders in the aviation and digital infrastructure space have hailed the FCCPC’s move as a deterrent. “It’s high time we clipped the wings of these fly-by-night operators,” remarked a source at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Civil society groups, including consumer rights advocates, are mobilizing to file amicus briefs, amplifying calls for transparency in concession awards.
For Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, the net tightens; his role as intermediary now positions him at the epicenter of potential indictments. As Nigeria races toward its 2026 digital economy targets, incidents like EXCEL-LED erode investor confidence and strain public resources.
The IGP’s office, under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, is expected to expedite investigations, with arraignments possibly within weeks. Daily Times will continue monitoring developments, ensuring accountability prevails over impunity in the nation’s quest for sustainable growth.
