The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has began the probe of six companies, which allegedly got the N13bn contracts for the supply of 375 million ballot papers for the botched April 2 National Assembly elections.

Investigations by our correspondent in Abuja on Monday showed that the anti-graft agency had got necessary information on the contracts from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The companies, which are said to be promoted by top government officials, include VI Solutions; a German/Polish firm, SanFranco; and a Spanish company, Tip 3; Aero-vote; Kalamazoo and Graphic Inline.

It was learnt on Monday that the EFCC’s investigation of the firms, which began last week, must have been prompted by an anonymous petition to the anti-graft agency.

The petition, a source at the EFCC said, accused some government officials of being behind the companies.

Another source stated that the probe was prompted by INEC, which was ready to absolve its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, of any shady deal in the contract.

Investigations showed that the EFCC would start inviting the management staff of the firms for interrogation anytime this week.

When contacted, the EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such a petition.

He, however, said he should be given time to confirm from the commission’s Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, whether such a probe was being carried out by the agency.

The April 2 National Assembly elections were shifted twice by INEC because of inadequate materials on the day of the polls.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201104128282617


http://www.tmgelection2011.org/content/ballot-papers-efcc-probes-firms-over-3bn-contract