By Obinna Uballa
A fresh investigation by Drop Site News, a United States based newspaper, has alleged that late American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak leveraged Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgency to advance financial and strategic interests, including security technology deals and port negotiations.
The report, amplified by Al Jazeera, draws on a trove of emails released by the United States Department of Justice in 2018. It alleges that Epstein facilitated high-level discussions between Jide Zeitlin, then chairman of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, former chairman of DP World, a Dubai-based logistics giant.
According to the documents, the talks centred on securing control of shipping terminals in Lagos and Badagry after earlier negotiations with Nigerian administrations dating back to 2005 stalled. DP World was reportedly unwilling to invest in an industrial zone without full control of the adjoining port infrastructure.
Bin Sulayem resigned on February 13 after his past ties to Epstein resurfaced publicly, intensifying scrutiny of the negotiations. Epstein died in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
Investigators also detailed what they described as near-daily correspondence between Epstein and Barak, who allegedly sought to deepen Israeli-Nigerian security cooperation after leaving office.
After stepping down as Israel’s defence minister in 2013, Barak reportedly used his security connections in Nigeria to promote Israeli-linked energy, cybersecurity and investment ventures. In 2015, Barak and a partner invested $15 million in FST Biometrics, a firm founded by former Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Ze’evi Farkash.
The company’s Basel biometric system, originally deployed at crossings between Israel and Gaza, was marketed in Nigeria as a counter-terrorism tool amid the escalating Boko Haram insurgency. The report claims the technology was introduced to Babcock University as part of security enhancements against potential attacks, while also being promoted more broadly to African governments.
The investigation further referenced a 2020 World Bank-supported initiative involving the Israel National Cyber Directorate and Toka Group, a cybersecurity firm co-founded by Barak, aimed at contributing to Nigeria’s national cyber infrastructure.
In one 2014 exchange cited in the report, Epstein reportedly described unrest in parts of Africa and the Middle East as an opportunity, writing to Barak, “Isn’t this perfect for you?” Barak replied, “You’re right in a way. But not simple to transform it into a cash flow.”
The documents suggest that security cooperation often served as an entry point for wider commercial ambitions, including infrastructure and energy investments.
Diplomatic and political access
The correspondence also points to the level of access Epstein and Barak allegedly enjoyed within Nigerian political circles. In 2013, Barak attended a cybersecurity conference in Abuja that organisers privately described as a cover to arrange meetings with then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Emails cited in the investigation referenced efforts to cultivate “Friends of Israel” within Nigeria’s leadership. Following such engagements, Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems reportedly proceeded with an internet surveillance project in Nigeria despite opposition from members of the National Assembly.
The report further alleges that Epstein advised Barak on leveraging these security relationships for personal and corporate gain, including facilitating talks linked to port concessions for DP World.
Babcock University denies claims
In a swift response, Babcock University rejected allegations that it procured biometric or surveillance equipment from Israel or participated in any counter-terrorism or intelligence operations.
In a statement signed by its Associate Vice-President for Communication, Media and Branding, Dr Johnson Akintayo, the institution said it conducted a comprehensive internal review of its procurement, financial and administrative records immediately after the publication.
“The review confirmed that the claims referencing the institution are entirely unfounded, spurious, baseless and false,” the statement read.
The university stressed that, as a faith-based institution, it operates under clearly defined procurement procedures aligned with national laws and international accountability standards. It said all acquisitions are subject to structured approval processes and institutional oversight.
Babcock added that it “strongly dissociates itself from any insinuation” that contradicts its mission, governance framework or operational mandate, reaffirming its commitment to integrity, transparency and responsible leadership.
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