The Independent Corrupt Practices
and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it is set to prosecute
Marilyn Amobi, managing director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading
Company Limited (NBET), over procurement fraud.
In February, Leaks.ng had done a
story on how Amobi approved at least N2 billion
to two power generating companies.
Leaks.ng is a coalition of media
and civil society organisations. Daily Trust, TheCable, OrderPaper NG, Sahara
Reporters, Premium Times and ICIR are all members of the coalition.
In a report sent to the office of
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in March, ICPC found Amobi guilty of at least five
of the allegations levelled against her.
The commission had relied on a
petition it received for the investigation. The allegations made in the
petition are disregard for procurement laws, illegal funding of foreign trip
for federal lawmakers, six years payment for office furniture for a four-year
tenure and side-lining of due process in purchase of Amobi’s vehicles.
Other allegations were that Amobi
funds NBET’s expenditure without appropriation from the national assembly,
authorises withdrawal from the Central Bank to fund unnecessary training,
sanctioned transfer of staff illegally and stopped payment of salaries to two
management staff.
On illegal payment to electricity
distribution companies (DisCOs), ICPC noted that all the 11 DisCos have unpaid
invoices because of certain like unprofitable tariff, non-metering and
subsisting court order.
“The Respondent (MD) does not
follow due process in award of contracts,” the report read.
“The Respondent (MD) makes
payments before securing the required approvals. The Respondent (MD) received
excess furniture allowances of N22, 646, 328.48 above the approved
N5,777,595.00 for CEOs of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
ICPC added that it would
prosecute all indicted and carry out a review of payment to affected DisCos.
It said: “In the light of the
foregoing, the commission would carry out the following. Prosecution of all
indicted persons, as revealed in the investigation report, for the violation of
Procurement Act, 2007 and ICPC Act, 2000.
“A comprehensive review of the
operations of all the 11 Discos so as to come up with the necessary
recommendations that can enhance better performance and adequate remittance to
the Federal Government and make necessary input into the power policy as
directed by Mr President.”
Rashidat Okoduwa, spokesperson of
the commission, said those indicted will be taken to court.
The Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC) had absolved Amobi of any wrongdoing, saying there
is no proof against her.
Last month, Amobi demanded an
apology from the coalition, saying the reports of fraud in the agency were
defamatory.
In the letter by her counsel
Babalakin&co, Amobi gave the members of Leaks.ng seven days to retract the
publication.
The letter said the reports had
caused Amobi emotional distress and psychological trauma.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com