Nigeria’s top security and anti-graft agencies have opened a probe into Chinese firm Excel-LED over claims it collected N100m for airport screens and failed to deliver.
The Department of State Services, EFCC and ICPC are investigating the company, its MD Sam Lee who allegedly operates as Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, subsidiaries Exel LED Optoelectronics and Adsen, and Nigerian promoter Ndubisi.
The probe follows a Dec 22, 2025 petition by law firm Anosike, Egbuchiwe and Associates on behalf of concessionaire Folio Media Group.
The dispute stems from a contract to supply and install airport-grade screens at Enugu, Port Harcourt and other international airports. Folio Media says the screens were meant to generate revenue through ads and flight displays.
According to the petition, initial payments went to Excel-LED’s China account and the first 3 screens arrived, but one failed technical evaluation and sat idle for 6 months in Enugu, costing lost revenue.
The firm then gave Excel-LED another chance. For the final phase, payments were redirected to Patrick’s personal Nigerian account for “customs clearance and logistics,” the petition alleges. On Dec 4, 2025, a major transfer was made to that account.
Folio Media claims Patrick, posing as CEO of Excel-LED Nigeria Limited, took the advance and flew to China without delivering or refunding. Site logs show zero deliveries after the redirection, and installation teams missed multiple dates.
EFCC operatives reportedly tracked Lee and Ndubisi to Port Harcourt and brought them to Abuja after they ignored invitations for nearly 3 months. Both were questioned over the failed delivery.
The petition asks DSS, ICPC and EFCC to investigate alleged fraud, tax evasion and economic sabotage. Lawyer Max Uchendu said diverting payments to personal accounts can bypass withholding tax and VAT, a leak he says costs Nigeria billions yearly on projects like LED displays and telecoms.
None of the parties have publicly responded to the allegations.
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