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EFCC Investigates Diversion Of N7.5 Billion By Contractors Working with NSCDC Commandant General

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

The nation’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is currently investigating the alleged diversion of N7.5 billion by contractors working with the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

It was gathered that over a period of five days the entire amount that was shared to contractors account has been identified and linked to operators of Bureau De Change (BDCs), who were invited and questioned.

The contractors involved in the case were reportedly called for questioning as the investigation progresses.

“The investigators discovered that payments were made to a total of 20 contractors, with a significant sum of N2 billion allocated to three major contractors, who own five companies each.

“Each contractor received a retention fee of 5%. Letters of invitation have been sent to these contractors.

“All the contractors have been interviewed except for one woman who has been working tirelessly to avoid it. Who received over 1 billion, and all the funds were discovered to have been converted to USD.

“The contractors made useful statements that led to the recovery of approximately N1 billion, which Audi had given to them to avoid being invited.

“The contractors have been under pressure from the EFCC as they have stated that the operatives are so professional that there is nothing to hide, given that they have records at their fingertips.

“One of the contractors said that they are planning to start a protest at the NSA office to seek assistance.as they feel that he is the only senior official who can help them reach the CG.

“They applied for jobs as contractors, only to learn that the job was already executed on their behalf by the Director of Procurement, Victor Fayemi, and Anthony Akpan, depending on the contractor they are in touch with.

“They sent account numbers with individual names, which the investigators informed them are BDC.

“The contractor that is yet to appear is the MD of Absolute Solutions, Cerise Ltd, BNT arm, which has been getting paid since the CG assumed office in 2021 and have been using the same BDC to exchange funds which she’s always informed that the jobs have been executed on her behalf.

“The BDC investigated so far include. Main One Global and Double Spec Agro.

“Another contractor that received over 1 billion is Sotitrech Computers, Jikol Multipurpose, and they exchanged funds through One Al-Hikma communications and made some refunds.

“It was observed at NSCDC that these payments were meant for jobs that had already been executed, but the contractors had not been paid. If the investigators request the goods, they will be found in the stores, but the main contractors who supplied them were not paid,” a source said.

It was added that payments for the elections were meant for the staff, but sources at the NSCDC claimed that the staff were underpaid compared to staff of sister agencies.

The EFCC was said to have written a letter inviting officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for questioning.

Officers scheduled to be questioned by EFCC starting from 2 May 2024 are:

1. Victor Olanrewaju fayemi

2. Anthony Akpan Uwen

3. Patrick Babatunde

4. Comfort Danladi

5. Akibo Michael Olusola

6. Umaru Usman Karshi

7. Adewale Kukoyi

8. Joseph Ajayi Ibitulo

9. A.A Jonathan

10. Paul Ahepa.