Defence ministry denies allegation of contract scam

The Ministry of Defence has denied allegations of fraud in the award and execution of contracts involving relocation and refurbishment of the Nigerian Army Level II Hospital, in Mali.

A statement yesterday from the spokesman of the Minister of Defence, Colonel Tukur Gusau refuted the online report indicting the Ministry over the hospital contract under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali.

He dismissed the report which also alleged that a Nigerian Army General has been detained and is being prosecuted over the matter.

The report alleged that $1.4 million for the contract was shared without the job being executed.

It was also alleged that the procurement process was done without the initial due process of the Bureau for Public Procure¬ment (BPP).

Colonel Gusau said the contract has been successfully executed, while the contractor has requested for a team from the ministry in conjunction with the Defence Headquarters to carry out a completion inspection visit to the project site.

He added that, “The team is due for Mali soon and there is no case of fraud in the process as alleged in the report as all parties are duly satisfied with the process leading to the contract award.”

He also said the case of the Army General currently standing trial at an army court martial has no connection with contract award in the ministry.