The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) is investigating another N3bn arms contract awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) under the late General Andrew Azazi.
The Nation reports that arms dealers, a military chief and other officials who served under Azazi have been invited by the EFCC for questioning on the matter.
The EFCC believes that the N3billion contract for the supply of 20 units of K-38 patrol boats to the Nigerian Army by the disbanded Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety (PICOMMS), was inflated.
The anti-graft had on Thursday, interrogated a former Chairman of PICOMMS, Air Vice Marshal, Salihu Atawodi(rtd), over a N600m military boats contract.
The report states that the arms dealers were invited to speak on the contracts given to them.
A source within the agency was quoted to have said: “We noticed some discrepancies like the short supply of equipment, non-delivery and outright refusal to execute contracts.
“One of the areas we are looking into is how PICOMMS was allegedly mismanaged under AVM Atawodi. We have allegations of inflation of N3billion contract for the supply of 20 units of K-38 patrol boats to the Nigerian Army.
“There are issues about lack of due process in the award of the contract and non-delivery of the 20 units of K-38 patrol boats to the Nigerian Army.
“From records so far, the nation might have been short-changed to the tune of over N2billion out of the contract sum.
“In an instance, N620million was withdrawn from the contract sum, changed to dollars and shared by some officials of PICOMMS in one day. We will fish out the culprits.”
“Atawodi was arrested for alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.
“He allegedly abused his position as chairman of presidential implementation committee on marine safety to defraud the Nigerian government to the tune of over N600m through dubious contract to procure military boats.
“He awarded the contract to one Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor was fully paid, but the boats were never supplied. The contract award process violated the Procurement Act.
“AVM Atawodi, who has been on the radar of the anti- graft agency since 2013, was quizzed for several hours on Wednesday after he responded to the invitation extended to him.”
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