Human rights lawyer, Myson Nejo, made the call in a petition addressed to the chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), dated May 23, 2024, a copy which SaharaReporters obtained on Thursday evening.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has been called upon to investigate an invitation for tender and expression of interest publication by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and Food Security over corruption.
Human rights lawyer, Myson Nejo, made the call in a petition addressed to the chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), dated May 23, 2024, a copy which SaharaReporters obtained on Thursday evening.
Titled: "Request for thorough investigation into the invitation for tender and expression of interest publication by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and Food Security," Nejo accused of the ministry of hidden location of projects to be executed or where the goods procured would be delivered, a development he said indicated an intention to commit corruption.
He said that such concealment of projects location in a tender that required transparency contravene section 16(1)(d), of the Public Procurements Act 2007.
According to him, "In April 15, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2007 made public an invitation for tender and expression of interest to contractors, suppliers and consultants/service providers for works, goods and services in various parts of the country.
"The invitation for tender and expression of interest, was categorised into three different categories: Works, Goods and Consultancy. Worryingly, most of the projects appended in category A (works) ended in the suffix 'various locations. The projects in category B (Goods) are for the procurement of different goods, with no indication as to where the goods procured would be delivered to. Category C (Consultancy) follow's this trend as the projects appended therein are devoid of location for delivery as well and many of the projects listed therein ends with the suffix 'In some selected states'.
"This is very worrisome as the notable trend in the Invitation for tender and Expression of interest which is a lack of location as to where the works are going to be established, a lack of location as to where the goods procured will be delivered and a lack of location as to where this consultancy services are required is in clear contradiction of the provisions of the Public Procurements Act 2007, particularly section 16(1)(d), which provides that all public procurement shall be conducted in a manner which is transparent, timely, equitable for ensuring accountability and conformity with this Act and Regulations;
"as well as section 58(4)(b) which provides that conducting or attempting to conduct procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt acts, unlawful influence, undue interest, favour, agreement, bribery or corruption is an offence and Any person who while carrying out his duties as an officer of the Bureau, or any procuring entity who commits this offence is liable on conviction to a cumulative punishment of not less than 5 calendar years imprisonment and a summary dismissal from government services virtue of Section 58(5)(a) and (b) Public Procurement Act."
He maintained that "the lack of Locations in the project title in the various categories of the invitation to tender and expression of interest is one that makes me view the publication with great disingenuity and a means to defraud, misappropriate and to embezzle funds that could be to the tone of millions and even billions of Naira."
Based on the forgoing, the legal practitioner implored the anti-graft commission to thoroughly investigate the invitation for tender and expression of interest to a logical conclusion in the overall interest of justice.