Ex-PDP Chairman’s Son Jailed for 14 Years over N2.2bn Oil Subsidy Scam
Lagos High Court has sentenced Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Ahmadu Ali, to 14 years in prison over his involvement in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court, bringing a close to a high-profile trial that exposed deep-rooted corruption within Nigeria’s petroleum subsidy scheme.
Ali, alongside his co-defendant Christian Taylor and their company Nasaman Oil Services Limited, was convicted on charges of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, obtaining money under false pretenses, and forgery.
The charges were brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had initially arraigned the defendants on a 49-count charge in 2012.
This was later amended to 57 counts in March 2025, following new findings and evidence.
The EFCC’s case revolved around fraudulent claims made by the defendants under the petroleum subsidy regime in 2011. According to prosecutors, the defendants submitted forged documents to claim over N2.2 billion in subsidy payments for fuel that was never delivered.
Among the falsified documents was a fake “GASOLINE ANALYSIS” report purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat aboard the vessel MT Overseas Limar. The court found that the entire transaction was a fabrication intended to defraud the Federal Government.
Justice Dada, in her ruling, stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and described the defendants’ actions as a calculated economic crime against the state. She emphasized the need for strong deterrents to combat the widespread abuse of the subsidy system and ensure accountability among powerful individuals and entities.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the fraud and mandated the restitution of the stolen N2.2 billion to the Federal Government. Christian Taylor received a 10-year sentence, while the company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, was
held jointly liable for the repayment.
The EFCC lauded the verdict, calling it a significant victory in its ongoing campaign against economic crimes. In a statement following the judgment, the commission affirmed its commitment to bringing perpetrators of financial crimes to justice, regardless of their status or political connections. Anti-corruption groups and civil society organizations also welcomed the decision, describing it as a long-overdue act of accountability in the petroleum sector.
This conviction is among the most prominent in a string of subsidy fraud cases that have plagued Nigeria for over a decade. The petroleum subsidy regime, once designed to make fuel affordable for Nigerians, has been riddled with fraud and mismanagement, costing the country billions. With this ruling, many observers believe it sets a precedent for future prosecutions and underscores the judiciary’s increasing resolve to tackle corruption at the highest levels.
The sentencing of Mamman Nasir Ali represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, serving as a warning to others who may be tempted to exploit public systems for private gain.
