Reps Probe Police Over Alleged N50bn Corruption, Asset Stripping

The House of Representatives has resolved to comprehensively investigate the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over alleged systemic corruption, amounting to N50 billion, abuse of office, and illegal sale of national security assets.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance, sponsored by Ibe Okwarra Osunwa, Mark Esset, and Jafaru Leko. The motion will be at the plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, lawmakers raised concern over the recent allegations of abuse of office, lack of due process and corruption in the NPF, which threatened the credibility, operational efficiency, and national security objectives of the Force.

Speaking for the other sponsors, Hon Osunwa particularly expressed worry over “credible allegations that several contracts amounting to over N50 billion were paid to unqualified and unverified companies for the supply of arms, boots, gunboats, and forensic intelligence equipment, without any execution or delivery, thereby putting national security at risk.”

“These companies include PSGL Nigeria Ltd., SOLYD Nigeria Ltd., Toffy Ventures Ltd., Rush Rights Ltd., Value Exchange Ltd., and Radio Tactics Global Services, among others. These allegations point to a systemic abuse of office, blatant disregard for procurement regulations, undermining of internal oversight departments, and potential sabotage of Meera’s internal security architecture.’’

He noted that the NPF Procurement Department reportedly awarded Crown Natures Nigeria Limited a contract worth N6 billion by splitting it into 66 separate contracts in a deliberate attempt to circumvent the Public Procurement Act, 2007, particularly in procuring Police uniforms.

“Disturbed by the reported sale of critical national security assets including Garki Police Barracks (Abuja), Falomo Police Barracks (Lagos), and Bompai Barracks (Kano) to private individuals closely linked to Exima Realty Company Ltd. Without due process or required approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Ministry of Police Affairs, are the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and in total disregard for the PPP

“Worried that various contracts under the 2024 budget running into tens of billions of Naira have allegedly been awarded by the Nigeria Police Force without compliance with statutory procurement processes, including the Federal Executive Council approval, Ministerial Tenders Board vetting, and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) no-objection certification.

“The companies involved in these alleged violations include Dexterity Development Ltd., KC Construction Ltg, Contract Technologies Ltd., Strong Tower Infrastructure Development Ltd., among others.

“Also worried about reports of the diversion of N2.9 billion meant for the Safe School Initiative under a contract awarded to Vigiscope Ltd., despite failing to meet Statutory requirements such as obtaining a NITDA certificate as mandated for all ICT-related procurements in MDAs.

“Convinced that if urgent steps are not taken, these acts of impunity and financial misconduct could erode public confidence in the Police Force and sabotage national security and development efforts,” the lawmaker stated.

Upon adopting the motion, the House mandated its Public Accounts and Procurement committees to launch an in-depth investigation into the NPF’s procurement practices, focusing on violations of financial laws, contract fraud, illegal asset sales, and diversion of funds.