News
FCFMT Embroiled In Alleged Procurement Fraud Scandal
In a shocking revelation, the Restore Nigeria Integrity Initiative (RNII), has exposed a massive procurement fraud at the Federal College of Fishery and Marine Technology (FCFMT), prompting a formal petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for immediate investigation and prosecution.
According to RNII, a thorough investigation has uncovered webs of fraudulent activities, including awarding contracts to unqualified vendors, inflating contract sums, and embezzlement of funds meant for projects in the institution and has accordingly written an FOI dated 11th July, 2024, titled “FOI REQUEST ON INFORMATION ON SUSPECTED PROCUREMENT FRAUD IN YOUR INSTITUTE, seeking clarification on the matter, all to no avail.
RNII alleges that the FCFMT has engaged in a pattern of fraudulent activities, including several payments of over 1.5 billion naira from 2022 to 2024, paid to companies belonging to a particular groups of persons led by one individual John Abah Augustine. They claimed that they have recorded details of these payments for various categories of projects whose inspections are currently ongoing. RNII also alleged a lack of transparency in contract awards.
The group said: “We are appalled by the level of corruption and mismanagement at the FCFMT. We urge the EFCC to take immediate action and investigate these allegations. Those involved must be held accountable, and the institution must be governed in a transparent and accountable manner.
“We have duly petitioned the EFCC to investigate these allegations while urging the commission to take immediate action to hold those involved accountable.
“The FCFMT is a federal government-owned institution responsible for providing education and training in fishery and marine technology. The college has a history of corruption and mismanagement, with several investigations and audits revealing widespread fraud and abuse of office, and this should not be so.
“The procurement fraud at FCFMT has serious implications for the education sector and the country as a whole. It just not undermines the integrity of the institution, diverts resources meant for development, and perpetuates a culture of corruption but also downplay the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda which came with gratifying reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the agricultural sector.
‘We duly demand that the EFCC investigate the allegations of procurement fraud at FCFMT, hold those involved accountable, recover all misappropriated funds, and finally ensure transparency and accountability in the procurement process within the institution.
“RNII is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria. Our mission is to expose corruption and ensure that those involved are held accountable.” It added.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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