The House of Representatives has waded into allegations of massive corruption within the Nigeria Police Force, mandating its Committees on Public Assets and Public Procurement to investigate claims including the illegal sale of national security assets, to the diversion of public funds and abuse of procurement processes.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Abia lawmaker, Ibe Osunwa, and three others during Thursday’s plenary.
In support for the motion, Osunwa stated that the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force, as enshrined in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), includes the protection of lives and property, prevention and detection of crime, and enforcement of all laws and regulations.
“The House is concerned that recent allegations of abuse of office, lack of due process and corruption in the Nigeria Police Force threaten the credibility, operational efficiency, and national security objectives of the Force,” he said.
He noted, that the NPF Procurement Department reportedly awarded a contract worth N6 billion to Crown Natures Nigeria Limited by splitting it into 66 separate contracts to allegedly bypass the Public Procurement Act, 2007, particularly in the procurement of police uniforms, as reported by investigative media platforms including Ape Reporters.
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Osunwa further stated, “The House is 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, the Federal Executive Council and in total disregard for the Public Private Procurement.”
He also lamented the alleged award of several contracts under the 2024 budget, running into tens of billions of naira, without following statutory procurement processes.
These include approvals from the Federal Executive Council, vetting by the Ministerial Tenders Board, and a no-objection certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
He listed companies involved in these suspected infractions to include Dexterity Development Ltd., KC Construction Ltd., Contract Technologies Ltd., and Strong Tower Infrastructure Development Ltd.
Moreso, Osunwa alleged another diversion of ₦2.9 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 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
“Several contracts amounting to over ₦50bn 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,” he stated.
Among the companies he mentioned includes; PSGL Nigeria Ltd., SOLYD Nigeria Ltd., Toffy Ventures Ltd., Rush Rights Ltd., Value Exchange Ltd., and Radio Tactics Global Services.
The motion stressed 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.”
With the motion adopted, the House mandated its Committees on Public Assets and Procurement to investigate the extent of these procurement breaches and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
