The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into the activities of the office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Daily Trust can authoritatively report.
The anti-graft agency, in a letter by the Lagos command of the commission, exclusively obtained by Daily Trust, specifically said it is investigating alleged abuse of public office, money laundering and diversion of funds involving some companies.
The letter, dated 17th October, 2022 with reference number: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/AFF.2/TB/BAW/VOL.3/079 was received by the OSSAP-SDGs last Wednesday, November 16.
According to the letter, which was signed by the Zonal Commander, Ahmed Ghali, the commission directed the office to furnish the commission with some documents in order to enable it conclude its investigations.
The documents requested were Certified True Copies of the list of awarded contracts between 2017 and 2020, as well as certificate of completion (or otherwise).
Other things requested by the commission were payment vouchers, directing that advance soft copy should be sent to an email, including other pieces of information that can help the commission in its investigation.
It listed the companies as: Jacodi Nigeria Limited, Metrics Integrated Solar Service, Hisense Technology Ltd, Value Builders Nig. Ltd, Prismvisa Contr. Nig. Ltd and Nurla Consulting Serv. Ltd.
The letter, titled: “Investigation Activities: Request for information” read: “The command is investigating a case of abuse of public office, money laundering and diversion of funds involving the under listed companies that were alleged to have carried out contracts for SDG between 2017 – 2020.
“The companies: Jacodi Nigeria Limited, Metrics Integrated Solar Service, Hisense Technology Ltd, Value Builders Nig. Ltd, Prismvisa Contr. Nig. Ltd and Nurla Consulting Serv. Ltd.
“In view of the above, you’re are requested to kindly furnish the commission with the following documents to enable us conclude our investigation: i. Certified True Copies of the list of awarded contracts; ii. certificate of completion (or otherwise).
“This request is made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishments) Act, 2004 and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 as amended.”
When contacted, spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent that he was not in possession of the information.
Legal adviser to the office, Barr. Aliyu, Lolo told Daily Trust on phone that he could not comment on the issue unless he was directed to do so.
He, however, directed our correspondent to formally write to the office.
But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, did not answer several calls put across to her via her mobile phone.
In the same vein, her media aide, Desmond Utomwen, did not respond to calls to his mobile phone, and he was yet to reply to a text message sent to him seeking an official reaction to the development.
“It has been reliably gathered that the EFCC has asked the SDGs’ office to provide some documents and vouchers regarding contracts awarded to some companies by the office between 2017 and 2020 to 6 companies, as the media adviser for the office, kindly give us your official reaction to this development before going to the press,” read the message sent by our correspondent.
Recall that an international anti-corruption advocacy group had in September petitioned the commission, seeking its audience to probe some contracts awarded by the SGDs’ office.
It had alleged that that some contractors were paid twice for a single project and for the same purpose via two payment platforms – GIFMIS and Remita platforms.
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