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N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG - Politics - Nairaland

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N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Honbright(m): 6:51am On Jan 06, 2019
N17b bond: EFCC probes Saraki, Kwara gov, AG

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and the Accountant-General of the state over how a N17billion bond secured by the State Government was spent.

The anti-graft agency suspects that part of the funds may have been diverted  into private use.

The bond was intended to cover 13 projects and loan refinancing package during the tenures of Saraki as governor and Ahmed,his successor.

The investigation is digging into what has become of the N2billion Asa Dam Mixed Use Development Project and the Ilorin Water Distribution Project which has gulped N3.736billion but without water to drink by residents.

The EFCC has already interrogated the Secretary to the  State Government, two Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the state, and about three contractors.

All those invited were said to have made “voluntary statements.”

Two ex-commissioners and two members of the House of Representatives may be arrested by the anti-graft agency in connection with the affected projects.

But a source in government in Kwara State claimed that EFCC is on a “wild goose chase because the bond has been fully repaid since 2014 without any outstanding liability for the people of Kwara State.

“We suspect sheer politics and a plot to intimidate Saraki and Ahmed because 2019 polls are around the corner.”

The  fact-sheet sighted  by our correspondent listed the affected projects as Aviation College –(N1.5b budgeted, N2.448, 663, 386.56b spent); Asa Dam  Mixed Use Development Project (N2b); Kwara State University (N1b); Ilorin Water Distribution Project (N2b allocated, N3.736b spent); Shonga Irrigation Project (N2.9b allocated, N882.9 million paid to contractor);  Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre( N750m allocated, N1.861b  spent); Urban roads (N1.5b allocated but N1.609b spent); Rural and Feeder roads(N200m);  Ilorin Metropolitan Street Lights Project(N250m); Kwara Vocational Centre (N650m); Loan refinancing (No evidence of payment of N2.4b to AFDB); Ilorin Township Stadium  Project—N1b allocated but N1, 117 430, 700.54 spent; Electrification Project—N462, 144, 291.10; Kwara Mall Project—N500m allocated, $2m deposit in another account

The fact-sheet said: “We are investigating a petition forwarded by the Code of Conduct Bureau, Abuja. It was alleged that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the incumbent Accountant-General of Kwara State allegedly conspired and misappropriated N17billion raised through bond in 2009.

“Letters of invitation were sent to the Secretary to the State Government, the Accountant-General of the state as well as Permanent Secretaries for ministries that handled the projects.

Some snippets of the investigation include the following:

“Asa Dam Mixed Use Development project: The project had N2billion allocated from the bond. However the sum of N83.688 431.68 was spent on consultancy by ECAD Designs Limited and nothing else was done.

“Ilorin Water Distribution Project was allocated N2, 000,000,000. However, N3, 736,505,126.49 was spent on the project. The only contractor for the project was C.G.C Nigeria Limited. An analysis of the Kwara state Government’s First Bank of Nigeria Plc account revealed that the sum of N1billion was paid to C.G.C apparently for the project. Investigation is still ongoing.

“Another project which benefitted from the bond was Kwara State University with a N1billion vote. But a total of N1, 675 607.905 23 was spent. The project had the following contractors: Charvet Nigeria Limited, Akit technology Limited, Integrated Concept Limited, Golden Consult and the University Itself.

“The project was handled by the Ministry of Works and the Commissioner as at the time was one Kolawole Abdulrauf Shitttu. Investigation revealed that Mr. Shittu and one Engr. Akintola Taiwo are both directors and the accounts signatories to a company called PTL Consult Limited. “Shittu is also a signatory to another company called Strudev Consultancy Services. Analysis of the companies’ accounts and the Mr. Shittu’s personal account revealed that transfers were made by Charvet Nigeria Limited and Archon Nigeria Limited; the two companies were among the contractors of the University Project.

“The Managing Director at Archon was invited and he stated that he was the project manager for the construction of the Kwara State University and that he was informed by the State Government that PTL Consult is the consultant on the project and that he worked with Engr. Taiwo during the period which was why they made payments to PTL Consults’ account.  Efforts are being made to arrest Mr. Shittu.”

Concerning Kwara Mall, the fact-sheet claimed that the project was allocated N500million and the entire sum was utilized by the Ministry of Commerce.

It added: “The Permanent Secretary was unable to provide us with details of how the money was spent but did state that they were in partnership with a private company; Persians Investments Limited and that the Kwara Mall was constructed and is being fully utilized. A search of the company showed that they were into real estate and property management; parts of their properties included Kwara Mall, Viva cinema, Polo Park Enugu among others. Analysis of the company bank statement showed N500million paid to the company by the Kwara State Government on the 10th of June 2010. While the investigation is ongoing, the sum of two million USD $2,000,000 deposit was traced to one of the company’s account. The depositor is being tracked by detectives and all relevant agencies.”

Regarding the irrigation project, the EFCC detectives alleged that the “document recovered from the Accountant-General  did not show this project but the Permanent Secretary stated that the project also known as Shonga Irrigation Project was handled by the Ministry and the contract was awarded to C.G.C Nigeria Limited for N2,998,966,827. However, only N882, 944,215 was paid to the company. He further stated that the project was later taken over by the Federal Government.

On the International Aviation College, whose licence was suspended recently, the detectives in their report said it was allocated N1.5billion  from the bond but N2,448.663.386.56 was spent in on the construction and purchase of equipment.

“Contractors that handled the project were: Godab Nigeria Limited. Henry George Nigeria Limited, ECAD Design (Consultants) and the college itself. The College is alleged to be fully owned by the Kwara State Government and registered  with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) R C; 746511. Its board included the current State Governor, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Razak Atunwa (a former commissioner in the state) Popoola Captain Shadrack Taiwo and Yusuf Tunde. The registrar of the college was invited for an interview and questioned on the finances of the college as well as aspects in which the college handled during the construction of the college. He stated that the bursar of the school died recently but most contracts were handled by one Harlequin Aviation Information Service Limited (HAIS).

“A search at the company found that one Yusuf Tunde is a Director as well as signatory to the accounts of the company: he is also a Board member of the Aviation College. Based on this the accounts of HAIS were placed on caution and the company’s representative is to report for an interview on the 30th of August 2018.

The report clarified the status of loan refinancing by the state government.

It said:  “The prospectus of the bond stated that Kwara state had indebtedness of N4, 980,000 in external loans out of which N3.3billion amounted to legacy obligations preceding the then administration They proposed utilizing N2, 400,000,000 from the bond proceeds of the bond to service part of the legacy  obligations which were (a) African Development Bank(AFDB)- construction of four specialist hospitals in Jebba, Offa, Oke-Ode and Sobi at a cost of N1,440, 828, 000; (b) AFDB-equipment procurements to the four specialist hospitals; ( C) World Bank Essential Drug Projects.

“The total debt was N3, 301, 162, 42. Only  Documents obtained from the Accountant-General of the State did not show any indication that monies were paid to AfDB or the World Bank instead another list with heading ‘OTHER PAYMENT’ showed the names of Government Agencies and private companies being paid a total of N974, 896,343.47.

“The companies were invited. One of the companies, Lolada Investment Limited reported and stated that they were awarded a contract valued at N285, 652, 200 by the Kwara state Government to install CCTV system for Ilorin metropolitan.
https://www.voiceairmedia.com/2019/01/n17b-bond-efcc-probes-senator-saraki.html
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Abfinest007(m): 6:57am On Jan 06, 2019
efcc=even fathers commit crime
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by gaby(m): 7:11am On Jan 06, 2019
Saraki had been a saint all the while he was in APC. There hadn't been the bond issue as at then.

Why are these guys so predictable and fond of making a mockery of the anti-corruption as a tool for persecution and victimisation of opponents.

1 Like

Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Nobody: 7:17am On Jan 06, 2019
we all know that everybody in politics in Nigeria is a thief whether we like it or not, but the case of kwara state and federal government is becoming worrisome. are they the only opposition state in the country. it should be done in every state

1 Like

Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Baawaa(m): 7:29am On Jan 06, 2019
Saraki,your boy Dino Melaye had surrendered,the best thing is for you to join him

1 Like

Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by helinues: 7:41am On Jan 06, 2019
Toothless dogs

A dog that can only bark with no teeth to bite
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by vacanci: 7:48am On Jan 06, 2019
gaby:
Saraki had been a saint all the while he was in APC. There hadn't been the bond issue as at then.

Why are these guys so predictable and fond of making a mockery of the anti-corruption as a tool for persecution and victimisation of opponents.

Not true. Since day one of this government when he was in APC, he had been having court cases with ICPC. The government had dragged him to court and humiliated him long before he defected. Are you not in this country again?

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Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by vacanci: 7:50am On Jan 06, 2019
Oma307:
we all know that everybody in politics in Nigeria is a thief whether we like it or not, but the case of kwara state and federal government is becoming worrisome. are they the only opposition state in the country. it should be done in every state

Its because you are only looking at Kwara.

So you have suddenly forgotten Ekiti state. What about Orji Uzo Kalu's efcc cases concerning Abia state loot. AkwaiIbom nko

1 Like

Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by gaby(m): 7:53am On Jan 06, 2019
vacanci:


Not true. Since day one of this government when he was in APC, he had been having court cases with ICPC. The government had dragged him to court and humiliated him long before he defected. Are you not in this country again?

You are very correct bro. They obviously forgot this "bond" case.

1 Like

Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by danot1030: 7:54am On Jan 06, 2019
Saraki thought it was going to be like Jonathan time when he held Jonathan to ransom now he's realizing too late that he has bitten more than he can chew, he's washing helplessly his political career being devastated.
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by vacanci: 7:58am On Jan 06, 2019
gaby:


You are very correct bro. They obviously forget this "bond" case.

the bond case is EFCC while the other one he had been suffering was ICPC. EFCC cases actually takes time compared to ICPC.
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by onubijoe(m): 8:01am On Jan 06, 2019
APC government has no other things to do than to probe
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Nobody: 8:03am On Jan 06, 2019
vacanci:


Its because you are only looking at Kwara.

So you have suddenly forgotten Ekiti state. What about Orji Uzo Kalu's efcc cases concerning Abia state loot. AkwaiIbom nko
I am presently in ilorin just spent some time, kwara owe is too much, compare to my darling state kogi who has not paid some workers for a year and the federal government is releasing Paris funds.
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Gandollar(f): 8:25am On Jan 06, 2019
Baawaa:
Saraki,your boy Dino Melaye had surrendered,the best thing is for you to join him
Like others before it, this too will fail. When will EFCC investigate the scam called "Nigeria Airways logo" which gulped over 10m USD?
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Gandollar(f): 8:26am On Jan 06, 2019
jonesky080:
Saraki has done more harm than good especially to the people of Kwara. I wonder why some people still see him like a savior. ��‍♂️
You should wonder why you still see buhari as your Messiah and wanting to reelect failure.
Re: N17b Bond: EFCC Probes Saraki, Kwara Gov, AG by Oshin56(m): 2:39pm On Jan 06, 2019
gaby:
Saraki had been a saint all the while he was in APC. There hadn't been the bond issue as at then.

Why are these guys so predictable and fond of making a mockery of the anti-corruption as a tool for persecution and victimisation of opponents.
yes my brother don't be surprise if Amaechi leave APC they will bring is a case out including Gandollar issue

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