The Minister of Communications Barrister Abduraheem Adebayo Shittu is enmeshed in a web of multiple contracts scandal involving millions of naira, according to a document seen by Daily Trust Newspaper.
But the Saki-born politician and minister said “my hands are very clean”.
According to Daily Truest report, a document titled 1st and 2nd Audit Inspection Report on Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, January to June 2018, it was stated that many contracts awarded within the period were either inflated, abandoned after payment or that irregular payments were made concerning them.
“The report also said some of the contracts were awarded to companies where some of the ministry’s officials or their friends and loyalists have interests.
“It also said some officials colluded with Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) officials to review some of the contracts upward. The report found that a contract for the construction of an Incubation Hub in Ibadan awarded to Delimit Nigeria Limited and SS Energy Nigeria Limited at N300m, but the job was abandoned.
“A Personal Assistant of the minister, who has interest in one of the companies, allegedly ensured the money was paid, and thereafter resigned his appointment with the minister.
“The report also indicted a director in the ministry who has interest in a company which got paid the sum of N90m to establish an ICT data bank within the ministry, but nothing was done.”
But Shittu in a swift response said he knows “nothing about the irregular payments and inflation of contracts. I don’t know anything about all these. I don’t have interest in any of the companies; I know nothing except this ICT plan.
