CCTV Scam: Reps Indict 3 Ex-Ministers Over $470m
Three ex-ministers are in trouble over their alleged complicity in the Lagos – Abuja CCTV project as an ad hoc committee indicted three former ministers over the $470 contract.
The ministers; Alhaji Adamu Waziri, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (retd) and Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, as well as a former Permanent Secretary of the defunct ministry of Police Affairs, Mr. James Obeigbu, the members alleged that the ministers mismanaged funds meant for the installation of the cameras.
“If government accepts the committee’s recommendation, the ex-political appointees would face trial.”
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The committee’s report, The Whistler reports, seems jnxed as it is the second time this week that the report has been stood down.
Some of the report recommends of the committee included the prosecution of the former ministers and officials of the defunct Ministry of Police Affairs who served between 2010 and 2014.
“They should be prosecuted over the rationale and motive for the removal and or disappearance of the operational and maintenance costs of the project from its initial proposals, as that singular act contributed to the non-performance of the network,’’ the committee said.
It said Obeigbu be prosecuted for deliberately refusing to release N3 billion meant for network operations and maintenance;
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“ZTE Nigeria, the contractor, should refund the discrepancy amount certified after the audit exercise or supply equipment and spares of commensurate value as may be required by the ministry.
“Otherwise, the figure should be deducted from the outstanding debt of US$20,247,172.00 certified by the Ministry of Police Affairs as being owed ZTE for running the network from January to June, 2013.”
It also recommended that a forensic audit of the outstanding debt being owed ZTE for running the system for several months should be conducted and the actual cost be verified.
The House will next week debate the report. The CCTV contract was awarded in 2008 for $470 million under the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS). Only 40 cameras were working, of the 1000 installed in Abuja. The contractors said they were in the process of re-activating the remaining 960, which they said were vandalised.
