Particulars It has emerged how a long-term Federal Authorities contractor, James Okwete, refunded the sum of N30,604,651.16 to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs after receiving double fee for a accomplished contract beneath former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
Paperwork solely obtained by our correspondent revealed that the fee was a part of a N35 million contract for the “Design and Improvement of N-Information Coaching Manuals for N-{Hardware} Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).”
The contract was awarded to Mr Okwete by his firm, Adatech Built-in Companies Restricted, on December 29, 2020 and introduced on January 4, 2021 beneath the N-Energy Program of the Nationwide Social Funding Program of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs , Catastrophe Administration and Social Improvement.
The tender was signed by the Buying Director, Shittu FO, for Umar-Farouq.
Among the supplies procured included: a content material improvement guide to develop a coaching guide for N-Tech {Hardware} observe price N5,950,000 and printing a coaching guide for N-Information ({Hardware} observe ) price a complete of N26,608,139.54.
A complete of N32,558,139.54 plus Worth Added Tax at 7.5 p.c price N2,441,860.47 making a complete of N35,000,000.00.
In a letter dated April 27, 2021, the Nationwide Social Funding Program wrote to the Managing Director, Adatech Built-in Companies Restricted, informing him of the illegal double fee of N30,607,651.16 in respect of the design and improvement of N -Information Coaching. Manuals for N-{Hardware} Grantees North Central (Lot B17).
The letter was signed on behalf of the minister by the Director of Finance and Accounts (NSIP), Adaramoye Joseph.
The doc learn: “The Managing Director, Adatech Built-in Companies Ltd. Suite B, Block C. Commerce Plaza Bhd Previous Secretariat Space 1. Abuja
“Please discuss with the above matter. It has been found that your organization has been wrongly paid twice in respect of the above contract, to the tune of solely Thirty Million, Six Hundred 4 Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty One Naira, Sixteen Kobo (N30,604,651.16). The quantity has been double deposited into your financial institution particulars beneath Financial institution: First Financial institution of Nigeria plc. Account quantity: 2021481488
“Please refund the quantity of N30,604,651.16 to account identify: Nationwide Social Funding Program Remitta- RRR GIFMIS CODE-0544003001, NARRATION- Refund of Cost.”
In response to the request in a letter dated June 23, 2021, Mr Okwete's Adatech Built-in Companies Ltd wrote a letter to the Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, confirming receipt of the letter and his intention to switch the cash to pay again.
The doc learn: “We’re writing to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 27, 2021 and to guarantee you of our intention to refund and proper the transaction error in your half.
“The quantity of N30,604,651.16 was really obtained into our account in double credit score by our First Checking account. Nevertheless, our director is at the moment in another country, he has but to return from his journey. This memo assures you that we’ll organize the refund of this fee as soon as it arrives within the nation in a short while.
In the meantime, a Remita fee doc with serial quantity 1105-5500-0255, solely obtained by our correspondent, additional revealed that Mr. Okwete's Adatech Built-in Companies Ltd on October 13, 2021, paid the Nationwide the full quantity of N30,604,812.41 refunded. Social Funding Program, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Catastrophe Administration and Social Improvement.
Sunday PUNCH additionally obtained a replica of the corporate's financial institution assertion exhibiting the refund transaction.
Adatech Built-in Companies confirmed the refund in one other letter, noting in a letter signed by the corporate's supervisor, Obi Stanley, that it had hooked up the refund affirmation and a replica of the refund receipt.
The doc reads: “Director of Finance and Accounts, Nationwide Social Funding Programme, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Catastrophe Administration and Social Improvement.
“We’re writing to tell you that we’ve got recognized and resolved an error concerning the duplicate funds made by your ministry to our firm. We’re happy to tell you that we’ve got processed the refund of the duplicate fee and the quantity has been credited to your account on October 31, 2021.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this will likely have precipitated and guarantee you that it was not our intention to obtain duplicate funds. As quickly as we found the error, we took instant motion to analyze, resolve and refund the overpayment
“We have now hooked up the next paperwork in your reference: 1. Award Letter with File Quantity: FMHADMSD/PROC/01063/Vol.1/III. 2. Refund affirmation: a replica of the refund receipt. 3. Financial institution assertion: a replica of our financial institution assertion exhibiting the refund transaction.
“We kindly request a affirmation/clarification kind from the ministry as proof that the refund has certainly been obtained. Thanks in your immediate consideration to this matter. We look ahead to persevering with our constructive relationship together with your ministry.”
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Catastrophe Administration and Social Improvement has been investigated by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Crimes Fee for alleged circumstances of cash laundering.
Key authorities officers indicted by the anti-graft committee embody former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, suspended minister Beta Edu, and suspended former Nationwide Social Funding Program coordinator Halima Shehu.
Whereas Umar-Farouq is being confirmed for alleged embezzlement of N37 billion, Edu is being investigated for alleged fraud of N17.5 billion, whereas Shehu is being investigated for alleged cash laundering of N44 billion, all beneath the identical ministry.
