$2.1bn Arms Deal: EFCC probes payment of N1.450bn by ONSA

The Nigeria Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday commenced investigation of four companies that were allegedly paid N1.450billion by the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA). The cash was said to be part of the $2.1billion voted for arms which was diverted to other use.

A top functionary of the Goodluck Jonathan government who is believed to be associated with the companies was being quizzed as at press time yesterday over what the EFCC described as “ curious payments .” He might be detained by the anti-graft agency, The Nation learnt yesterday.

He was invited for questioning by the commission as part of the ongoing probe of the $2.1billion arms deals by ONSA and had gone through about eight-hour grilling . “ There is the possibility that we might detain him for a while. So far, he is cooperating with our team, “ a source said yesterday.

According to the source, the ex-functionary made four accounts available to ONSA where the N1.450billion was remitted into.

The affected companies and the breakdown of the cash were as follows: Stellavera Dev Company(N300m); First Aralac Global Limited(N300m); First Aralac Global Limited(N100m); Damaris Mode(N300m); Stellavera Dev Company(N200m); Whese Farms Ltd(N250m).

The source said: “The funds paid to the four companies had nothing to do with any project. Findings revealed that the remittances might be for political purposes.

“Already, a Staff Officer in ONSA in charge of the remittances has made a useful statement to the EFCC.

“He was placed on surveillance after the conclusion of preliminary investigation. The affected companies were part of the 300 recommended for investigation by the Federal Government to the EFCC.”

The Presidential Committee, headed by AVM JON Ode, had indicted the 300 companies.

It noted that many contractors were apparently over paid, while others were given full upfront payments contrary to their contract terms and agreements.

The panel also uncovered evidence of payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual agreement or evidence of jobs executed.

The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfil their tax obligations for contracts executed.

It recovered some of the funds from these individuals and organizations amounting to N3, 537,549,223.04, $8,000,000.00 and houses worth 512,000,000 from 32 companies.

The panel also established that some individuals and companies received money without evidence of contractual agreements or jobs done.

The amount received by these individuals was N7, 104,925,000.

It directed some companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially to make refunds.

The total amount to be refunded is N19, 896,539,125.20, $43,771,433.73 and two houses in Abuja worth N260, 000,000.

Fifteen firms, the panel said, were awarded contracts that require further investigation to ascertain their status. The total value of the contracts in this category was N11, 726,571,161.00, $202,136,890.00 and €4,114,752.96.

The companies include: “Abrahams Telecommunication Limited and Value Trust Investment Limited-RC 1050628 and RC133792, Bilal Turnkey Contractors Limited-RC 616389, Circular Automobile Limited-RC 953549, Continental Project Associates Limited-RC 1201210, Da’voice Network Solutions Limited-RC 658879.

Others are Foretech Investment Limited-RC 759046, Forts and Sheild Limited-RC 1148793, GDP Associated Limited-RC 830715, Hakimco Automobiles – RC 904389, Hamada Properties and Investment Limited-RC 635720, International Resources Management Company- RC

228657, Investment Options Limited – RC 133484, Jakadiya Picture Company Limited- RC 270972, JBE Multimedia Investment Limited- RC 48875, Kamala Motors Limited -RC 845545 and Key Information Services Limited -RC 297516.

Also investigated are Leeman Communications Limited- RC 499781, MCAF Associates- RC 734745, Moortown Global Investment- RC 968416, Syntec Nigeria Limited- RC 220165, Trafiga Limited- RC 1098961, Trim Communications Limited -RC 261180, Securicor Emergency and Safety- RC 431246, Sologic Integrated Services Limited- RC 744982, Wada Autos Limited- RC 1082513, Zukhruf Nigeria Limited- RC 306244, 2020 Nigeria Limited- RC 1090292 and A and B Associates Limited- RC 279980.

The individuals and companies that received payments without contractual agreements include: Bello Matawalle, Brig.-Gen. A.S. Mormoni-Bashir (the former Principal General Staff Officer at the ONSA, who is still serving), Alhaji Umar Sani, Dr Yakubu Sanky, Baba Bala, Ambassador Clement Layiwola Laseinde (a Director in the ONSA), an architect from Baitil Atiq Travels and Tours.

Others are Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu (the former Director of Finance and Administration at (ONSA), Col. Bello Fadile (rtd) (Special Adviser to Lt Col Sambo Dasuki; former NSA), Mr Otunla Jonah Niyi, Otunba Adelakun, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, Dr Tunji Olagunju, Miss Oluwatoyin Oluwagbayi, Lt Col MS Dasuki (rtd) (the former NSA).

Also listed are Maipata Mohammed Abubakar, Mohammed Suleiman from Musaco Investment and Properties, Ibrahim Abdullahi also from Musaco Investment and Properties, Alhaji Aliyu Usman, and 18 other officers that served in the ONSA.

The companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially and have been asked to refund various sums are: A and Hatman Limited, Abuja Consulting Limited, Afro-Arab Investment, Agbede A Adeshina and Co, Aleppo Systems Nigeria Limited – RC 947255, Amp Africa Holdings and Solar Services, Apple Drops Nigeria Limited – RC 1102219, Apt Security Limited – RC 165189, Autoforms Integrated Enterprises Limited – RC 1234829, Axis Consulting Services Limited – RC 1151145, Belsha Nigeria Limited.

Community Defence Law Foundation – RC/IT No 56854, Complus International Service Limited, Cosse Limited – RC 316214, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited, Dalhatu Investment Limited – RC 404535, Destra Investment Limited, Development Strategies International Limited – RC 361191.

Others are DFX/White Zebu BDC – RC787658/RC1049919, Duchy Concepts Limited- RC392281, Fara Security Limited-RC 694607, Fimex Gilt Nigeria Limited-RC 143150, First Aralac Global Limited-RC939512, Fix-HYL Global Investment- RC1129654, Good Year Properties Limited- RC1168828, Image Merchant Promotions Limited- RC 416703.

Interglobal Limited- RC 189188, Jos Peace Dialogue Forum CAC/IT/No75434, Kakatar Limited -RC 443321, Leaderette Nigeria/Norden Global- RC 422129/RC1119925, London Advertising Limited UK based, Mithra Oil Limited- RC 620979, NigerLink BOG (Under Musaco Investment)-RC 834592, Iban Global (Under Musaco Investment), Musaco Investment (Bank Charges), Mystrose Limited- RC 475579, NAF Holding Company Limited.

Also listed are: Peach Tree Communications Limited- RC 410115, Perception BDC- RC 740741, Pioneer Ventures- RC 69776, Proptex Nigerian Limited – RC 116801, Prosedec Interglobal Limited- RC 619845, Real Property Investment Limited -RC 294761, Sinash Communications Limited- RC 333134, Skytick International Limited- RC 798693, Soject Nigeria Limited- RC 74991, StellaVera Development Company Limited- RC 713258.

Others who defaulted on their contractual agreements include Teracon AG Swiss based, Wehsec Farms Limited- RC 713258, African Cable Television Limited -RC 1113903, BCN Nigeria Limited- RC 50969, Brains and Hammers- RC 655673, Concept Options Ultimate Limited- RC 604167, Elizade Nigeria Limited- RC 11544, Emerging Platforms Limited-RC 922205, EMI System Nigeria Limited- RC 248986, Hadassa Investment and Security- RC 709085, Kala Consulting Solutions Limited- RC 98562, Pioneer Ventures, Nan Bizcom Nigeria Limited- RC 680708, Nerres Limited- RC 1138835, Plectrum Consulting Limited- RC 937931, Protech Consultant- RC 301426, Summit Publications Limited- RC 304671, Telios Development Limited- RC 468351, Urban Abode Nigeria Limited- RC 651613, RCN Networks Limited- RC 439720, Sail International Limited- RC 97863, Suburban Broadway Limited – RC 469689, Geronimo Middle East and Africa, Julius Berger- RC 6852, Romgat Morgan Nigeria Limited- RC 902020, and Stallion Motors Limited -RC 178627.

Contracts awarded to the following companies are to be further investigated: 2020 Nigeria Limited- RC 1090292, Acacia Holdings Limited- RC 940978, Africair Incorporated US Company, Augusta Westland Limited, Almond Project Limited, Bam Project and Properties, Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited -RC 790662, Coral Builders Limited- RC 397748, Dan Clington Nigeria Limited- RC 940978, Law Partners and Associates BN/UY/004566, Magnificient 5 ventures Limited BN/2299463, MPS Global Services Limited.

Others are One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited- RC 695999, Quadsix Nigeria Limited- RC 1177968, and Reliance Reference Hospitals.

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