The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the probe of the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi over alleged corruption.
The probe which commenced a few week ago, according to reliable sources, saw Audi paying visit to the headquarter of the agency about three times.
Also, some of the Bureau De Change operators and contractors involved in the alleged contract scam were detained at some time.
Recalled that a group, Initiative for Integrity and Good Leadership had on January 24, 2024 petitioned the EFCC to probe Audi for alleged corruption.
In the petition signed by its Executive Director, Idi Sadiq said the group had reasons to believe that Audi was executing phantom projects.
The petition reads: “In the case of the NSCDC Commandant General, we have reasonable evidence to believe that he has executed phantom projects by collecting money twice for a project that had been executed by the previous administration before he came to that office.
“Moreover, we also have verifiable evidence to prove that he has been living far above his remuneration with properties all over as well as purchasing properties in the name of his four wives abroad.
“For instance, he acquired a property at No 10
Kalu Idika Kalu Crescent, Guzape valued at over N1 billion while in service. This is just one of many that we know and are aware of.
“Apart from this, he is also believed to have, against the Code of Conduct floated a company, Keltes Security and Consultancy Limited that has been acting as Consultants to Tantita Security – the security outfit in charge of monitoring of pipelines and vandalisation in the country thereby collecting billions of Naira that should ordinarily accrue to the federal government through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
The group alleged that his wife, who is a civil servant, was personally involved in the company’s running, contrary to extant rules, which is in violation of the Fifth Schedule of the constitution of 1999 as amended.
“It is based on these infractions that we humbly implore you to use your good office to investigate the veracity of this information as you are currently conducting verification exercise around the country, and if found wanting cause for the investigation of the Commandant General of the NSCDC and his Prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Commandant General of the NSCDC and his Prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and if found guilty, such property should be forfeited to the Federal Government to serve as detergent to other elected or appointed public officers who perceives themsel s to be above the law,” it noted.
However, a source in NSCDC alleged that Audi inherited about 50 Hilux pick up vans from his predecessor. Surprisingly, he allegedly repurchased 25 out of about 50 Hilux vehicles in the 2021 budget.
He added: “The sum of N25 billion was released in December 2023 by the presidency to NSCDC for the safe school initiative, and between December and March, Audi allegedly used fictitious companies to award contracts to divert over N20 billion.”
Also, a document containing the preliminary investigation carried out by the EFCC, sighted by this paper revealed that on 4th March 2024, a contract was awarded for the supply of 1,600 bags of crunch (dog food) 1600 to NSCDC headquarters to Cerise limited, N785,500 million.
The money was paid into Providus Bank 1301079762 to Abimbola Aderonke Fadaunsi. The money was later paid to a Bureau De Change Operation, with the name Mark One Global Double Spec Agro Enterprises and Global
Resources and converted to $485,900. It was allegedly paid back to the Commandant General.
In addition, on 4th March, 2024, another fictitious contract was awarded to Cerise Ltd for the supply of 18 operational night vision binoculars for night operations to zones. The money was paid into Providus account – 1301104943. The sun of N80 million a said into the BDC’s account.
The document also revealed that on the same 4th March, the sum of N620 million was paid to BDC, L & L Zaab Nig. Ltd into account number 1301820775, Providus Bank.
Similarly, on 4th March, Sotitrench Computers Nig Ltd was awarded a contract with the sum of N800,000,000. The money was paid to the company through Zenith Bank with account number 1015758328. The money was equally sent to a BDC operator, Al-Hikma Communication owned by Jinadu Iliyasu Bilbis and changed to $494,282.
Furthermore, NSCDC on 6th March awarded a contract to Absolute solutions Nig. Ltd in the sum of N785,500 million. The money was paid to Produdus Bank with account number 1301079762 – Aderonke Abimbola Fadahunsi as the beneficiary.
A reliable source at the EFCC who pleaded anonymity revealed that Audi has been a regular visitor to Lion House, the agency’s headquarters.
The source said: “He was here on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday March 28, 2024. He was to come back on April 2, 2024 before he claimed he was indisposed.
“We have recovered over N7 billion while one of the BDCs operators used in siphoning the fund, when contacted, said he was out of the country to perform a lesser Hajj. He agreed to refund the money paid into his account, he pleaded to cooperate with us and will refund the money when he comes back.”
When contacted, the Spokesperson of NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi requested that the questions be sent to him.
After waiting for two days, he was yet to respond to the enquiry