BREAKING: House Of Reps Summons Maritime University VC Over Alleged N2Billion Contract Fraud, Abuse Of Office

The anti-corruption committee of the House of Representatives has issued a summons to Prof. Emmanuel Munakurogha Adigio, the Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University, requiring his appearance regarding allegations of N2 billion procurement fraud and abuse of office, according to SaharaReporters.

This was seen in a letter obtained by SaharaReporters which was issued by Adeji S. Gideon, Clerk of the Committee.

The letter was addressed to Adigio, mandating him to appear before the committee members at 1 pm on Monday, February 5, 2024.

A civic organisation, Equity, Justice Access, Peace Promoters’ Social Development Foundation, had petitioned the federal lawmakers about its findings on the alleged corruption of the internal structures of the system put in place by Adigio at Maritime University.

The petition reads in part: “The internal audit department, account department and human resource department is so weak that there are no reports from the inception of the University till date. As a result, the internal control system in the university was extremely faulty and there are lots of manipulation of figures, data and analysis which will/has been exposed under our scrutiny.

“We reviewed of several award letters issued by the institution and we found that compliance with terms and conditions stated in its own award letter on procurement documents show that the University did not follow several of the conditions outlined in several award letters and continues to paste on its letter of award without implementation or evidence of compliance, such as 'furnishing a performance security within fourteen (14) days, from date of receipt of award.

“This has encouraged wanton corruption in the process of award and performance of contracts and widespread system. abuse of the award of contract.

“Ontari Business Services was awarded the contract for the Supply and Installation of two Speed Boat on 03/05/2019 for a contract sum of N58,000,000 (Fifty-eight million naira only). On the same award was also stated on the body of the award as supply of Laboratory equipment to be delivered to Nigerian Maritime University.

“Contract agreement was not signed by the Head of Procurement, Following the order of priority, as stated in the contract award about the agreement, the contract agreement is the first and this particular contract is due to be not in existence for the fact that the Contract agreement was not signed within (1) week and supply in three months.

“This was also the case in the contract of N136,000,000.00 (one hundred and thirty-six million naira) for another installation of two speedboats on the 16th of April 2022 wherein the same process was repeated and also to the same company and also the sum of N330,000,000.00 (three hundred and thirty million naira) to another company on the 21d of October 2022.

“Also there has been the practice of payments being made to contractors without any requests by the contractors. As there are no internal records being kept/ corruptly manipulated record keeping practices, there have been several payments made multiple times to contractors without any letters from the contractors requesting for same. We have in our possession evidence of some of these payments in the sum of N18,000,000.00. N450,000,000.00. N90,000,000.00 and N122,000,000.00.”

Responding to the petition, the lawmakers said they had started full investigative proceedings on the allegations levelled against the Vice Chancellor.

The House of Representatives’ letter reads: This Committee has commenced full investigative proceedings on the above subject matter, consequently, you are hereby invited to appear before the Committee.”

The Vice-Chancellor was also advised to forward his “written representation and under-listed documents to the Committee Secretariat at the Office number HG 40, White House (old wing) House of Representatives National Assembly, Abuja not later than three (3) days before the above appearance date for proper scrutiny by members of the Committee”.

The documents are the audited account of the institution from 2020 to 2023, all contract awards from 2020 to 2023 which should include (a) Value of the Contract, (b) Name of Contractor, and (c) stage of execution and any other necessary documents.

“Please be guided that the Petitioners are equally served with this invitation and are expected at the hearing with their evidence,” the committee added.