The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a contractor, Bashir Ibrahim, over an alleged N30 billion fraud involving fictitious contracts, fake consultancy claims, and unauthorized diversion of public resources in Kaduna State.
According to a statement released by the EFCC, Ibrahim, who is the helmsman of Formal Act Legacy Limited, was arrested by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate following over 250 complaints from individuals and businesses claiming to be victims of a wide-ranging scam.
He is accused of falsely presenting himself as a consultant for all 23 local government areas in Kaduna State and as a representative of United Charity Foundation, allegedly affiliated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) office.
The EFCC disclosed that although Ibrahim once held a 2020 memorandum of understanding with the Kaduna State Government to source international donor grants for development projects, the agreement was terminated in October 2023 due to his failure to comply with its terms.
Despite the termination of the agreement, Ibrahim allegedly continued to operate under its guise, awarding non-existent contracts worth approximately N30 billion.
Victims were reportedly deceived into supplying materials such as hospital equipment, drugs, and borehole components, which he claimed were for government projects.
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The items were either warehoused without the state government’s knowledge or sold off, with proceeds allegedly diverted for personal use.
During the arrest, EFCC operatives recovered Toyota Hilux vans, ambulances, buses, motorcycles, and large quantities of medical supplies including hospital beds, drugs, and generators from the suspect’s storage facilities.
Preliminary investigations in collaboration with NAFDAC and the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, revealed that some of the drugs were expired, counterfeit, or manufactured by unregistered entities.
Umar Suleiman of NAFDAC confirmed that while a few medicines were still within shelf life, many were expired or fake.
Abubakar Balarabe of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, added that the warehouse used to store the items was below standard and unsuitable for any form of medical storage.
The EFCC has affirmed that Ibrahim will face charges in court upon the conclusion of its investigation.
