CSO Queries Obaseki’s Last-minute Contracts

A civil society organisation (CSO), Campaign for Ethics and Good Governance, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate the multi-billion naira contracts Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State is awarding.

The group expressed shock that with less than three months in office, the governor had awarded contracts worth over N200 billion to some firms.

The N20 billion consultancy for the  Benin-Asaba Highway project is among the contracts the group queried.

In the petition signed by the group’s convener, Comrade Lucky Osazuwa Efe, made available to journalists yesterday, he alleged that the governor approved and released the  N20 billion for consultancy to beneficiaries.

Efe named the firms Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria and AAA Infrastructure Nigeria.

The Benin-based CSO sent copies of the petition to the attorney general of the federation, the minister of justice, and the inspector general of police (IGP).

Efe also asked the anti-graft agencies to investigate the sources of the money and the owners of a 22-floor building in Lagos.

In the July 10, 2024 petition,  the Campaign for Ethics and Good Governance also urged EFCC and NFUI to investigate the ownership of a commercial bank close to the CBN zonal office in Benin, the state capital.

Last February, Obaseki signed a N228 billion agreement with the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria and AAA Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to reconstruct the Benin-Asaba Expressway. The state government will invest as an equity partner in the 25-year Highway Development Management Initiative Concession to Africa Plus Partners, which will fund the road project.

The chief executive officer of Triple-A Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Ike Chioke, said, “The agreement with the state government was for the complete reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway under the HDMI Concession to Africa Plus Partners.

Also, the managing director of Triple-A Infrastructure, Niran Ajakaiye, said the project would be world-class.

As of the time of filing this report, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon Chris Nehikhare, when contacted, promised to react to the allegations at a later date.