DSS, EFCC Probe Chinese Firm Over Alleged N100m Airport Contract Fraud

The Department of State Services( DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) have commenced investigations into an alleged N100million airport screen contract fraud involving a Chinese company, Excel-LED, and its representatives in Nigeria.

Also reportedly being investigated are the company’s managing director, identified as Sam Lee, who allegedly operates in Nigeria under the name Emmanuel Shoon Patrick; the company’s subsidiaries, Exel LED Optoelectronics and Adsen; and a Nigerian promoter identified simply as Ndubisi.

The investigation followed petitions dated December 22, 2025, submitted by a legal firm, Anosike, Egbuchiwe and Associates, to the DSS, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

The petitions were said to have arisen from a contract awarded to Excel-LED to supply and install airport-grade LED screens at some international airports, including those in Enugu and Port Harcourt.

According to documents made available to journalists, the Nigerian concessionaire, Folio Media Group, alleged that the company collected payments for the supply and installation of the screens but failed to deliver the project.

The petition, titled, “Formal Petition and Request for Fraud Investigation, Corporate Tax Invasion Scheme with Intent to Economically Sabotage the Government by Mr Emmanuel Shoon Patrick and his Company- Excel-Led Nigeria Against Folio Media in Respect of the FAAN/Folio Led Screen Project at Port Harcourt International Airport,” alleged that payments meant for the project were diverted into personal accounts.

The petitioner claimed that initial payments were made to the company’s verified corporate account in China before subsequent transfers were redirected to a Nigerian personal account allegedly belonging to Patrick.

It further alleged that after receiving the payments, the company’s representatives became unreachable while the installation project remained incomplete.

Part of the petition read, “The first three screens arrived on time but failed technical evaluation—one plagued by a persistent issue that sidelined it for six months in Enugu, costing the company and FG millions in lost revenue.

“Payments were redirected from Excel-LED’s China account to Patrick’s personal Nigerian bank account, justified as needed for customs clearance, on-ground costs, and faster transfers.

“But Shoon, posing as CEO of Excel-LED Nigeria Limited, pocketed the advance and fled to China. No delivery. No refund.”

The petitioner also alleged that repeated excuses were given over production delays and logistics issues without documentary proof, while installation teams allegedly failed to appear on scheduled dates.

Sources familiar with the matter claimed that operatives of the EFCC tracked some of the suspects to Port Harcourt and brought them to Abuja for questioning after they allegedly ignored invitations from investigators.

However, Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, Amb. Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, denied all allegations of fraud and financial impropriety.

In a right of reply issued in response to earlier media reports, the company described the allegations as misleading, unverified and damaging to its reputation.

The firm insisted that the matter was a private commercial dispute and not a criminal case.

It faulted reports alleging that funds meant for corporate accounts were diverted into personal accounts, leading to tax evasion and contract failure.

The company accused some media organisations of publishing allegations without seeking its side of the story, describing the reports as a breach of fair hearing and journalistic ethics.

Excel Optoelectronics further claimed that the controversy stemmed from a business disagreement which was being amplified through what it described as “trial by media.”

“The claims are a misrepresentation of a private commercial dispute. Neither the company nor its CEO engaged in criminal conduct,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Max Uchendu, said cross-border projects and corporate payments were subject to tax obligations, including withholding tax and Value Added Tax (VAT).

He alleged that the use of personal accounts in such transactions could create loopholes for tax evasion and revenue losses.