Nigeria, April 8 -- Sensitive information like the passport data of foreigners seeking to enter Nigeria, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), and the National Identity Numbers (NIN) of Nigerians in the diaspora are in the custody of a company owned by a fugitive who fled abroad after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation into his business activities, a joint investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and the BBC has revealed.

The embattled businessman's company is facing trial for organising a controversial recruitment exercise that led to the death of at least 16 Nigerians six years ago.

Prior to 2014, Mahmood Ahmadu was just another Nigerian businessman cutting juicy public procurement deals and bagging lucrati...