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Exclusive: Rural Electrification Agency MD, Engr. Ahmed Salijo Ahmed, Technical Service Director in N2bn fraud scandal

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2 years ago

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The Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Engr. Ahmed Salijo Ahmed and the Executive Director, Technical Service, Engr. Barka Sajor Joda are embroiled in a N2bn financial shenanigans.
A Civil Society Organisation, *Stop Corruption in Nigeria Foundation* threw accusation of perpetration of a N2bn fraud in REA within a year at Ahmed and Jodar.
The allegation was contained in a petition the whistleblowing organisation authored to the Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, while the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were copied.
On the strength of the petition dated March 10, 2022 and entitled, *Corruption Alert in Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Again*, in recent time some REA officials are frequenters of the antigraft agency, to explain their own roles in the corruption slur against the two persons of interest.
The accuser also dropped hint of the Power Minister’s complicity in the unethical behavior, alleging that the transgression was perpetrated under his nose.
Abubakar’s failure to lift a finger over the matter since it was officially brought to his notice over a month ago has reinforced the opinion in the rumor mill in REA Abuja headquarters that he is not an innocent bystander.
In the petition, the MD and the Technical Service Director together with 37 consultants were said to have defrauded REA of about N2bn under the cover of consultancy arrangements in which the so-called consultants’ services were procured to supervise contracts awarded by the agency.
This is despite the fact that REA has over 150 engineers including interns in its employ.
The process of seeking and obtaining the necessary approvals for the job-for-the-boys scheme, which was reportedly not in the agency’s budget from the Power Ministry was said to enjoy compromise under the Minister’s watch.
The supposed consultants got N49m each, some within three weeks to supervise REA jobs awarded to contractors.
 A misappropriation and misapplication of funds to say the least that cost the agency about N2bn, the irony was that most of the consultants didn’t know jack about what they were paid to do and had to turn to REA engineers who they engaged for the supervision and paid N2m each.
Quoting the petition: “We have it on good authority that some unwholesome activities have been going on unabated at REA since February 2021 till date. Hon. Minister Sir, it would interest you to learn that the Managing Director and Executive Director, Technical Service have turned your agency into personal business ventures where they now award what they tag ‘Consultancy Service” almost on a weekly basis!. ‘Consultancy Services’ contracts were awarded by the duo without due process. A breakdown of details of the consultancy services used to siphon funds from the coffer of REA is attached as Annexure.”
Continued: “We discovered that the Agency has expended at least Forty Nine Million Naira (N49 million) on each ‘Consultancy Service’ contract and close to total of Two Billion Naira (N2bn) in above regard in the last one year. The funds expended in this regard do not constitute line budget of the ministry, instead, same is diverted from the funds meant for Monitoring and sundry projects and consequently shrinking the budget and limiting the effectiveness of Monitoring Unit and projects mainly because some officers are hellbent on embezzling the funds of REA. These are verifiable facts and we urge you and the relevant bodies, authorities and agencies to investigate every shred of our petition.”
Investigation by this publication, revealed that Ahmed and Jador hold the whole due and procurement processes in contempt allegedly constituting nuisance in contract matters.
“The two guys act with impunity without regards for due process. They would award contracts to unqualified companies with links to them and won’t allow contractors to do their jobs. Instead, the pair would want to do it for the contractors by fire by force,” impeccable sources said.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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12 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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24 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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