Police Under Reps Scrutiny for Alleged N6bn Contract Splitting, Asset Transactions
The House of Representatives has directed its Committees on Public Assets and Public Procurement to investigate the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over allegations of corruption, including the illegal sale of public assets and diversion of funds, Vanguard reports.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Abia lawmaker Ibe Osunwa, and three others during Thursday, June 26, plenary.
In support of the motion, Osunwa emphasised that the core mandate of the Nigeria Police, as outlined in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is to protect lives and property, prevent and detect crime, and enforce laws and regulations. He expressed concern over growing reports of abuse of office, corruption, and lack of professionalism within the Force.
“The House is concerned that recent allegations of abuse of office, disregard for due process, and corruption in the Nigeria Police Force threaten its credibility, operational efficiency, and national security objectives,” Osunwa said.
According to him, the NPF’s Procurement Department allegedly violated the Public Procurement Act, 2007, by awarding a ₦6 billion contract for police uniforms to Crown Natures Nigeria Limited, split into 66 smaller contracts to circumvent procurement laws. The revelations were reportedly uncovered by investigative platforms such as Ape Reporters.
The House also raised alarms over the reported unauthorized sale of key national security assets, including the Garki Police Barracks in Abuja, Falomo Police Barracks in Lagos, and Bompai Barracks in Kano. These assets were allegedly sold to private individuals linked to Exima Realty Company Ltd. without necessary approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Ministry of Police Affairs, or the Federal Executive Council.
Further, Osunwa alleged that contracts worth tens of billions of naira in the 2024 budget were awarded by the NPF without proper oversight, including required approvals from the Federal Executive Council, vetting by Ministerial Tenders Boards, and Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) no-objection certificates.
He named companies allegedly involved in these procurement breaches, including Dexterity Development Ltd., KC Construction Ltd., Contract Technologies Ltd., and Strong Tower Infrastructure Development Ltd., among others.
The House also raised concern over the diversion of ₦2.9 billion meant for the Safe School Initiative under a contract awarded to Vigiscope Ltd., which reportedly lacked the mandatory NITDA certification required for ICT-related procurements in government agencies.
In addition, Osunwa cited credible allegations that more than ₦50 billion was paid to unqualified and unverified companies for the supply of arms, boots, gunboats, and forensic intelligence equipment. These contracts allegedly remain unexecuted, posing serious risks to national security.
The implicated companies include PSGL Nigeria Ltd., SOLYD Nigeria Ltd., Toffy Ventures Ltd., Rush Rights Ltd., Value Exchange Ltd., and Radio Tactics Global Services.
The motion warned that if these acts of impunity and financial misconduct are not urgently addressed, they could erode public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and jeopardize national security and development.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated the Committees on Public Assets and Procurement to conduct a thorough investigation and report their findings within six weeks for further legislative action.
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