Group Petitions EFCC, ICPC Over Alleged Contract Fraud, Abuse of Office by NSIB DG

Group Petitions EFCC, ICPC Over Alleged Contract Fraud, Abuse of Office by NSIB DG

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A civil society organisation, the Concerned Citizen and Whistleblower Initiative, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office by the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Alex Badeh Jr..

In a petition signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Ayo Adedeji, the group called on the anti-graft agencies to launch a thorough investigation into what it described as multiple infractions involving breach of civil service rules, contract manipulation and diversion of public funds within the bureau.

The group noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved Badeh’s appointment as Director-General of NSIB on December 13, 2023, and that he assumed office six days later.

However, it alleged that since taking over leadership of the agency, the NSIB boss has engaged in several unethical practices, prompting concerned citizens to alert anti-corruption agencies.

According to the petition sighted by our correspondent, the allegations include financial recklessness, abuse of office, contract splitting, inflation of project costs and the award of contracts to associates and proxy companies.

The group also accused the NSIB leadership of breaching procurement procedures, refusing to implement the current minimum wage, and recruiting inexperienced contract staff in violation of public service rules.

It further alleged that a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps was appointed as Safety and Security Officer within the bureau, while several new staff were allegedly placed on senior grade levels ranging from 10 to 15 at entry point.

Adedeji said the organisation decided to approach anti-graft agencies to prevent the alleged abuse of public resources from worsening.

“We have petitioned the relevant anti-corruption agencies because the allegations, if proven, amount to serious abuse of office, breach of procurement processes and diversion of public funds,” he said.

The petition also raised concerns over alleged irregular recruitment and salary structures within the bureau.

It claimed that one Miss Chidalu Thelka Edeh, a graduate of Ebonyi State University and the Nigerian Law School, recruited in 2024 as a contract staff, allegedly earns about ₦1 million monthly and has benefited from several overseas trips.

Similarly, the group alleged that Mrs. Awosemo Wuraola Emivhalu, who was reportedly brought into the bureau on secondment from the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Grade Level 9, was placed on Grade Level 14 with full benefits.

The petitioners further accused the NSIB management of violating the Public Procurement Act, 2007, through alleged contract splitting and inflation of project values.

Among the projects listed were a multi-modal workshop valued at about N482.5 million, rehabilitation of the NSIB maintenance laboratory in Abuja costing over N810 million, and the establishment of an Accident Investigation Mobile Office allegedly valued at about ₦844.6 million.

Other projects cited include the procurement of an intercom facility within the bureau reportedly approved for more than ₦200 million and repairs of roof leakages at the wreckage hangar allegedly costing over N25 million.

The group also alleged that the NSIB chief approved N256 million for office partitioning at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, while office renovation projects were allegedly duplicated in three phases amounting to over N600 million.

“These contracts were allegedly duplicated and repeatedly awarded for the purpose of diverting public funds,” the petition stated.

It further alleged that about N183.6 million was spent on a two-day induction programme for about 100 newly recruited staff at a hotel in Abuja.

The petitioners also accused the NSIB boss of diverting government assets for personal use.

According to the group, a Toyota Tundra vehicle procured for accident investigation operations under the Mobile Towable Van Project was allegedly converted to the personal use of the Director-General.

It alleged that a separate contract valued at about N844.6 million for the procurement of an Accident Investigation Mobile Office was later approved to cover up the diversion of the vehicle.

The organisation further claimed that Badeh and one of his aides, Capt. Bunmi Gindeh, allegedly acquired properties worth hundreds of millions of naira within months of assuming office.

One of the properties, the petition claimed, is a mansion located in the Apo Legislative Quarters area of Abuja, while other properties were allegedly traced to Kado and Maitama districts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Adedeji said the group would continue to monitor developments to ensure accountability in the agency.

“We will not allow the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to be run aground by alleged corruption and abuse of office. We urge the EFCC, ICPC and other anti-graft bodies to thoroughly investigate these allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable,” he said.