ICPC Invites Ex-IG, DG Budget, Others In Probe Of Police Trust Fund

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced a probe into N11 billion contracts by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).

Also being probed is the spending of the N1.6 billion take-off grant for the organisation.

The ICPC has invited ex-Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba and seven others to appear before it on the matter.

Abba, who is expected on September 16, was shocked that he was summoned over contracts he knew nothing about, it was learnt.

Others invited are Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Victoria Ojogbane; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Alh. Yahaya Mohammed; Director, Finance and Account, Mr. Lawal Gunjunju; Special Assistant, Technical , Mr. Salihu Abubakar; Director, Human Resources and General Services, Dr. Femi Akinfala; a Board member, Mr. Ben Akabueze; another Board member, Engr. Mansur Hammed.

Other invitees were asked to report between September 13th and 15th before the ex-IGP takes his turn on September 16.

The letter of invitation was signed by Director of Operations, Akeem Lawal.

It was learnt that some members of the BOT, including ex-IGP Abba, said they did not know anything about the contracts and expenditures.

They alleged that the management, headed by the Executive Secretary, has usurped the powers of the Board of Trustees in collaboration with Bureau of Public Procurement and the Ministry of Police Affairs.

But a source in the management said: “The management, led by the Executive Secretary has been operating within the laws and following due process. We have also been transparent, no law was abused. The management even sought clarifications on procurement from the Bureau of Public Procurement.”

Pursuant to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari on May 6, 2020 approved the appointment ex-IGP Suleiman Abba and six others as members of the Board of Trustees of NPTF.

Others are Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto (Executive Secretary); Mr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri – (Representing Ministry of Police Affairs); Inspector-General of Police (Representing Nigeria Police Force); Usman Bilkisu( Representing Ministry of Justice); Mr. Ben Akabueze (DG, Budget and National Planning) – Representing Ministry of Finance, Budget and National; Engr. Mansur Ahmed – Representing Organized Private Sector being Executive Director, Dangote Group and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); and Dr. Michael Bamidele Adebiyi – Representing Civil Society Group.

The presidency said the appointments were in “furtherance of the Buhari administration’s commitment and drive to retooling Policing Architecture in the country by emplacing the Police Trust Fund to meet the aspiration of a well-funded, equipped and highly professional Nigeria Police Force in line with international best practices.”