N3b security contract: Ex-NSA, others likely for trial

by: Yusuf Alli

There were strong indications yesterday that a former National Security Adviser (NSA) and five others may be hurled before a court to face charges for alleged poor handling of a N3billion contract, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The contract is for supply of 20 units of K-38 patrol boats to the Army.
Likely to be charged are some businessmen and officials of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS).
The State Security Service (SSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) are said to have concluded investigations into what is now known in official circles as a contract scandal.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From the outcome of the investigation so far, six people, including a former National Security Adviser, may face conspiracy charges on the contract.
“The report of the investigative team will be forwarded by the NSA to the appropriate quarters for legal advice.”
Some suspects failed to appear before the investigative panel. The legal advice will determine their fate, the source added.
“But we have established a breach of contract, allegations of bribery running into millions, and money laundering against some suspects.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “The government will recover every kobo diverted in respect of the contract. The petitioner claimed that it could be more than N3billion.
“We have probed all angles to the contract and those involved will face the music soon. The government has taken a position not to spare the principal actors in the deal.
“Where necessary, companies implicated might be blacklisted by the Federal Government from operating in Nigeria .”
A businessman, Hassan Rabiu of Hypertech (UK) Ltd; exposed the scandal in an October12, petition entitled: “Conspiracy, fraud, supervision & compromising of Nigeria ’s national security and Official Corruption in the award and execution of National Security and defence projects in Nigeria by a group of Jews operating under many guises with the active connivance and involvement of a few unpatriotic Nigerian government officials and businessmen.”
He allegedly implicated some firms, including those owned by two Israelis, in the contract scandal.
Some officials of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS) were also named in the dispute.
One of the companies was to supply 20 units of the K-38 patrol boats to the Army at over N3 billion, the businessman said.
The said firm allegedly collected 80 per cent of the contract sum, but supplied only eight units of the boats.
It was alleged that five years after the company bolted away with the government‘s money, Hypertech CEO alleged that in November 2011, the company was introduced to TP Marine B.V, the manufacturers of the boat, by the firm’s original agent, Mr. ZVi Turbo of Shval Saar Limited.
TP Marine, Hypetech’s MD claimed, in his petition, expressed its willingness to sell the remaining 12 unpaid boats at an auction price to offset its banking obligation.
The petitioner alleged fraud in the execution of the contract and demanded a comprehensive probe into the deal.
Hassan said the alleged fraud does not involve about N3 billion but 15.5m Euros.
He said: “The 15.5m Euro scandal is only a tip of the iceberg, as it is interconnected and related to the theft of over 200m Euros through PICOMSS, the unapproved expenditures of tens of millions of dollars by PICOMSS, including the purchase of two private jets, etc, etc. and the swindling of the MOD (Ministry of Defence) of mega million dollars by a second set of Jews, all directly involved in swindling Nigeria over the years.”
TheNation