The Independent Corrupt Practices and related offenses Commission, ICPC, has uncovered how some members of the National Assembly, notably a senator representing Kano North, Barau Jibrin, conspired with government agencies to obtain government contracts amounting to billions of naira.
Among such the contracts exposed by the ICPC are contracts awarded to Sinti Nig. Ltd, which is owned by Mr Jibrin, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations.
The anti-graft agency’s findings are contained in a report titled: “Constituency and Executive Tracking Exercise Phase 3 Report” presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by the ICPC chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye.
The report reads in part: “The dramatis personae in the conception and implementation of public-funded projects use the influence of their office for personal aggrandizement to the detriment of the public.
“Sponsoring legislators, their aides, and or senior officers of executing agencies use both subtle and hard influences to appropriate contracts for projects to companies in which they directly or indirectly have a substantial interest.
“There are significant testimonies and evidence of lack of adherence in practice to procurement rules and compliance with the provision of the Procurement Act.
“In November, 2020, Sinti Nig. Ltd, a company belonging to the sponsor was awarded a contract by Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority in the sum of N199,950,000 for a project to supply empowerment items in Kano North Senatorial District.
“It was a project sponsored by Sen. Jibrin Barau of Kano North Senatorial District. Sinti Nig. Ltd has been notorious for this as it featured prominently in the Phase 2 Report for the same and other forms of violations.
“In collaboration with the BPP, this company like many others will be recommended for blacklist.”
Documents obtained by Daily Nigerian show that Mr Jibrin is the major shareholder of Sinti Nigeria Limited. On the board of the company are his children Zainab Jibrin, Shawal Jibrin and Khalil Jibrin.
Petition to EFCC against the senator over corruption
A recent petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, shows that Mr Jibrin is also the sole proprietor of ENGR. JIBRIL POWER ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (BN 2431830).
The directors of Sinti Nigerian Limited, the company notoriously cited by ICPC in its report to the president, are also on the boards of Talgo Luxury Estate Investment Nig Ltd (RC1312306) – owned by Khalil Jibrin and; Zajib Multi-Purpose Business Stores (BN2637321) – owned by Zainab Jibrin (07038623249).
According to the petition, the companies are actively being used by the Senator to obtain contracts without due process and to launder public funds.
“The contract for the completion of 13 Study Centers in Kano North Senatorial District, captured in the 2020 budget with Code ERGP22582428 at the cost of N430m under the Ministry of Education was awarded to SINITI NIGERIA LIMITED,” the petition said.
Although the project was abandoned, yet money for the project has been paid by the Federal Government.
The petition further reads: “The Senator further padded the budget of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally include the sum of N40m with Budget Code No. ERGP86582461 for the purpose of conducting medical outreach in Kano North Senatorial District. The funds were released at the height of Covid-19 pandemic, particularly during the nationwide lockdown and when medical personnel were overstretched and unable to embark on medical outreach.
“The Senator also benefited directly from the Contract for the repairs and rehabilitation of Getso Dam Kano North Senatorial district, captured in the 2020 budget as ERGP 22583468 under the Ministry of Water Resources. The third trench payment made was the sum of N16m. The dam is still in its state of dilapidation. There is no repair nor rehabilitation on the dam.”
Efforts to speak to the senator proved abortive as calls through his three mobile telephone lines did not go through.
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