N116b contracts probe: Fed Govt may blacklist 115 indicted firms
Dasuki-Sambo
The
Federal Government may blacklist some of the 115 companies implicated
in the N116b “curious” contracts in the Office of the National Security
Adviser(ONSA) during the tenure of ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki.
Also, some of the companies may be
handed over to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for prosecution
for not paying taxes to the Federal Government.
But one of the companies, Image
Merchants, which had been covertly managing the media for security
agencies since 2013, faulted the report of the AVM JON Ode’s panel.
It asked President Muhammadu Buhari to
be wary of those whose stock in trade is to blackmail and destroy others
apparently as a way and means of venting their anger over their past
frustration.
Some of the indicted firms may be blacklisted unless they refund some funds meant for some unexecuted projects, a source told The Nation.
The source, who pleaded not to be named
because he is not allowed to speak on the matter, said: “Some of these
companies may be blacklisted from getting contracts from Ministries,
Departments and Agencies, unless they refund the contract sums illegally
credited to them or collected and get clearance from the government.
“There are over 115 companies with
issues on contracts in ONSA. Some of these firms risk being denied
further transactions with the government and its agencies.
“It is certainly no longer business as
usual in the country. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
will not waiver in its fight against corruption.”
Besides being probed further, more than
300 persons and companies by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission
(ICPC) and the police, some of the firms may be handed over to the FIRS
for alleged tax evasion and other tax infractions.
“Do you know that some of the companies
were indicted by the panel for not remitting taxes to the government?
Now, they have to face the penalty, “ the source said.
But one of the companies, Image Merchants, yesterday faulted the panel’s report.
In a statement by Yushau Shuaibu, the
company said: “For genuine reasons and concern, our strategic team
managed many humiliating and embarrassing reports from leakages,
including alleged terrorists’ attacks in the hometowns of top security
officers in the current administration.”
“We honoured the invitation to serve our
nation out of patriotism and we dutifully provided our services as
crisis communicators diligently and professionally.
“While acknowledging the moral support
and encouragement from critical stakeholders, we will continue to
volunteer, support and render the services responsibly. We would never
abandon our clients, partners and friends especially those who are
unduly victimised and vilified.”
”Meanwhile we will soon be in the court
to clear our name from the unfortunate media trial of indictment that
has been used consistently to unjustly rubbish reputations of
institutions and individuals without following the rule of law or due
process.”
The Senior Special Assistant on Media
and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu on Thursday claimed
that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those
indicted.
The indicted companies are to refund another N41 billion.
But the investigating agencies,
including the EFCC, will determine whether another N75 billion should be
recovered from some of the companies.
Shehu said the ONSA Committee had found
out that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment
International was overpaid by 7.9 million Euros and $7.09 million.
It noted that many contractors were
apparently overpaid. Others were paid upfront, contrary to their
contract terms and agreements.
The panel also uncovered evidence of
payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual
agreement or evidence of jobs executed.
The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfill their tax obligations for contracts executed.
Dasuki-Sambo
The
Federal Government may blacklist some of the 115 companies implicated
in the N116b “curious” contracts in the Office of the National Security
Adviser(ONSA) during the tenure of ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki.
Also, some of the companies may be
handed over to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for prosecution
for not paying taxes to the Federal Government.
But one of the companies, Image
Merchants, which had been covertly managing the media for security
agencies since 2013, faulted the report of the AVM JON Ode’s panel.
It asked President Muhammadu Buhari to
be wary of those whose stock in trade is to blackmail and destroy others
apparently as a way and means of venting their anger over their past
frustration.
Some of the indicted firms may be blacklisted unless they refund some funds meant for some unexecuted projects, a source told The Nation.
The source, who pleaded not to be named
because he is not allowed to speak on the matter, said: “Some of these
companies may be blacklisted from getting contracts from Ministries,
Departments and Agencies, unless they refund the contract sums illegally
credited to them or collected and get clearance from the government.
“There are over 115 companies with
issues on contracts in ONSA. Some of these firms risk being denied
further transactions with the government and its agencies.
“It is certainly no longer business as
usual in the country. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
will not waiver in its fight against corruption.”
Besides being probed further, more than
300 persons and companies by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission
(ICPC) and the police, some of the firms may be handed over to the FIRS
for alleged tax evasion and other tax infractions.
“Do you know that some of the companies
were indicted by the panel for not remitting taxes to the government?
Now, they have to face the penalty, “ the source said.
But one of the companies, Image Merchants, yesterday faulted the panel’s report.
In a statement by Yushau Shuaibu, the
company said: “For genuine reasons and concern, our strategic team
managed many humiliating and embarrassing reports from leakages,
including alleged terrorists’ attacks in the hometowns of top security
officers in the current administration.”
“We honoured the invitation to serve our
nation out of patriotism and we dutifully provided our services as
crisis communicators diligently and professionally.
“While acknowledging the moral support
and encouragement from critical stakeholders, we will continue to
volunteer, support and render the services responsibly. We would never
abandon our clients, partners and friends especially those who are
unduly victimised and vilified.”
”Meanwhile we will soon be in the court
to clear our name from the unfortunate media trial of indictment that
has been used consistently to unjustly rubbish reputations of
institutions and individuals without following the rule of law or due
process.”
The Senior Special Assistant on Media
and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu on Thursday claimed
that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those
indicted.
The indicted companies are to refund another N41 billion.
But the investigating agencies,
including the EFCC, will determine whether another N75 billion should be
recovered from some of the companies.
Shehu said the ONSA Committee had found
out that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment
International was overpaid by 7.9 million Euros and $7.09 million.
It noted that many contractors were
apparently overpaid. Others were paid upfront, contrary to their
contract terms and agreements.
The panel also uncovered evidence of
payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual
agreement or evidence of jobs executed.
The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfill their tax obligations for contracts executed.
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