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SERAP Urges Tinubu To Unveil Defaulting Contractors Over N167bn MDAs’ Fraud
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to disclose the specific names of the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) but failed to execute any projects.”
The SERAP is also seeking “the details of the projects for which the contractors collected N167 billion, and the proposed locations, as well as the number of contractors involved and the amount collected by each contractor.”
Recall that the revelations were documented in the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The SERAP stated, “The details to be published should include the names of shareholders and others that might have any ownership interests in the companies that collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money without executing any projects.”
The SERAP urged Tinubu “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly bring to justice, as appropriate, any companies and contractors who collected the over N167 billion of public funds but failed to execute any projects.
“To name and shame the companies and contractors and to ensure the recovery of the over N167 billion reportedly collected by them for projects not executed. The recovered money should be fully remitted to the treasury.”
In the letter dated 30 November 2024 and signed by the SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Publishing the names will make it hard for companies and contractors to get away with complicity in grand corruption.”
The SERAP said, “Holding the companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs but disappeared with the money would also prevent and combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the spending of public funds.”
The letter, read in part: “The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.
“It is important to show that your government would not shield or allow ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished.
“Unless the names of the companies and contractors are disclosed and widely published, alleged corrupt companies and contractors executing public projects will not be deterred and the victims of corruption that they allegedly committed will continue to be denied access to justice and effective remedies.
“The allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.
“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion [N167,592,177,559.40] to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.
“Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.
“The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.
“Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“The companies and contractors that allegedly disappeared with public funds meant for public projects may also be liable for aiding and abetting the commission of acts of grand corruption.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
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“Failure to take punitive and dissuasive measures would allow corrupt companies and contractors to continue to undermine the rule of law and socio-economic development of the country.
“Senior public officials who apparently served as intermediaries for these companies and contractors continue to escape justice. The allegations of corruption involving the use of the public funds may be responsible for the developmental challenges confronting the country and lack of effective and efficient public goods and services.
“The allegations that the companies and contractors collected over N167 billion of public funds from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international anticorruption obligations.
“The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.
“Another consequence of corruption is the growing inequality in the country, where the privileged few have access to all public resources, while the vast majority of citizens are deprived of access to public services.
“Corruption undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of opportunities.
“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Accountant-General of the Federation have sacred duties to ensure that natural resources and wealth are transparently and accountably used solely for the purposes for which they are budgeted, and for the effective development of public goods and services.
“Your government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.
“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.
“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any missing public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.
“Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.
“The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities-in the public and private sectors.
“It also imposes obligations on the government to ensure that sanctions imposed for corruption on natural and legal persons are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.”
As part of efforts to curb kidnapping in Edo State, the State Government, security operatives stormed a major hideout used by kidnapper in Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo Central Senatorial District.
The action was led by the Task Force against Kidnapping, according to a government house statement in Benin City transpired on Friday.
It was gathered that the Task Force during the operation cleared abandoned structures and thick bushes along the Uzea-Itakpe railway corridor in used by kidnappers.
It added that the exercise was aimed at eliminating criminal hideouts, with a view to improving visibility for enhanced security surveillance.
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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Akhere Paul described the area as a notorious transit point for kidnappers operating along the railway axis, Esan forests, and parts of Etsako West.
He explained that criminals used the abandoned structures as temporary holding camps for their victims before relocating them.
“If they kidnap people here, they bring them to this hideout, rest, and then move them to other locations, including Itakpe in Kogi State and Ama Community in Etsako West. This area has been a hotspot for kidnappings, affecting both the wealthy and poor, including farmers who use this route. As a government, we will not rest until kidnapping is eradicated in Edo State,” he stated.
The Commander of the Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, emphasized that intelligence reports and recent arrests informed the demolition exercise.
“The DPO covering this area and the local government authorities have investigated, and our findings confirm that this location is a strategic point for kidnappers. They ambush victims, and if moving them immediately is not feasible, they hold them here before proceeding. These abandoned houses and dense trees serve as their operational base,” Anetor explained.
He further assured residents that security agencies would sustain their crackdown on criminal elements to restore safety in the area.
Citing some residents who preferred to remain anonymous, the statement added that the abandoned structures and overgrown vegetation had long served as hideouts for criminals, allowing them to monitor potential victims before launching attacks.
Tragedy struck on Thursday as an unidentified woman plunged into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront.
Despite prompt efforts by marine police officers stationed nearby, she was recovered lifeless.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 4 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the marine police unit.
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However, despite their swift intervention, the woman was confirmed dead by UNILAG medical personnel upon arrival.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Command spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin provided details of the recovery operation.
“Today, March 13, 2025, at about 1600 hours, an unidentified woman reportedly jumped from the Third Mainland Bridge into the water near the UNILAG waterfront at approximately 1500 hours.
“She was recovered at the University of Lagos shore slipway by a team of marine police officers stationed in the area. Despite their efforts, she was confirmed dead by a team of UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division.”
He further disclosed that the body had been moved to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Mortuary in Yaba for preservation.
Although the motive behind the incident remains unclear, some witnesses suspected suicide. The authorities have yet to establish any conclusive reasons for the tragic act.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has articulated the rationale behind his administration’s economic reforms, saying the primary motive was protecting the interests of future generations.
This view was shared in a statehouse statement on Thursday, in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
He declared thus, “For 50 years, Nigeria was spending money of generations yet unborn and servicing the West coast of our subregion with fuel. It was getting difficult to plan for our children’s future.”
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President Tinubu was receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic, during which he served as a Senator representing Lagos West, when he bared his mind.
He highlighted the challenges faced at the beginning of his administration, especially economic and social issues, and expressed his gratitude for the delegation’s support in addressing these difficulties:
“We faced serious headwinds when I took over, very challenging times. Nigeria would have been bankrupt if we had not taken the actions that we took, and we had to prevent the economy’s collapse,” he added.
President Tinubu made it clear that the administration had been able to stem the tide and expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their collective support in turning things around.
“Today, we are sitting pretty on a good foundation. We have reversed the problem; the Exchange rate is stabilising. Food prices are coming down, especially during Ramadan. We will have light at the end of the tunnel.”
He said firm adherence to democratic tenets is the best route to economic, social, and political development.
“I am happy that you are holding to your belief in democracy. I thank you for keeping faith and remembering how we started. Some people missed the ball.
“Some leadership failed, but we kept the faith with our democratic beliefs and freedom and the right to aspire to the highest office in the land. I am benefitting from it.”
Senator Emmanuel Chiedoziem Nwaka, who spoke on behalf of the group, expressed his delight at some of the programmes that the Tinubu administration had implemented, especially the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and at what the two organisations were offering Nigerians.
“I appreciate you for what you are giving to students because the student population is the largest demographic in the country. I’ve spoken with many of them, and many have benefited from it.
“And the next one is the CREDICORP. That’s a major way of fighting corruption. You see a young man, you come out of school, you want to buy a car, you have to put down cash, you want to buy a house, and you are not married, but with the CREDICORP, you can get things done. I’m following their activities; we are delighted,” he said.
Other members of the delegation were Sen. Bako Aufara Musa, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, Hon. Wasiu Logun, Hon. Amina Aliyu, High Chief Obi Anoliefo and Hon. Eze Nwauwa.
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