There are now details available regarding how a long-standing Federal Government contractor, James Okwete reimbursed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for N30,604,651.16 after getting paid twice for a job that was finished under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
The Punch stated that, the payment was a component of a N35 million contract for the “Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17)” according to documents that our correspondent has obtained.
On December 29, 2020, Mr. Okwete was given the contract through his business, Adatech Integrated Services Limited, and it was made public on January 4, 2021, as part of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development’s N-Power program.
The Director of Procurement, Shittu F.O. signed the purchase order for Umar-Farouq.
A portion of the materials acquired included N5,950,000 for the manual content development needed to create a training handbook for the N-Tech Hardware track and N26,608,139.54 for the printing of a training manual for the N-Knowledge (hardware track) track.
A total of N32,558,139.54 + N2,441,860.47 in value, plus Value Added Tax at 7.5 percent, equals N35,000,000.00.
However, the Managing Director of Adatech Integrated Services Limited was notified by the National Social Investment Program in a letter dated April 27, 2021, about the unjustified double payment of N30,607,651.16 related to the Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).
The Director of Finance and Accounts (NSIP), Adaramoye Joseph signed the letter on behalf of the Minister.
The Managing Director of Adatech Integrated Services Ltd., Suite B, Block C, Commerce Plaza Bhd. Old Secretariat Area 1, Abuja, was listed in the paper.
Please refer to the aforementioned topic. It was found that your company received two incorrect payments for the aforementioned contract totaling thirty million, sixty-four thousand, six hundred and fifty-one Naira, sixteen kobo (N30,604,651.16). The money was deposited twice into the bank account shown below. Account number for First Bank of Nigeria plc is 2021481488.
“It is requested that you return N30,604,651.16 to the following account: National Social Investment Program Remitta – RRR GIFMIS CODE-0544003001, Refund of Payment.”
In response to the request, Mr. Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Ltd. sent a letter dated June 23, 2021, admitting receipt of the correspondence and stating their plan to reimburse the funds to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The letter, dated April 27, 2021, was acknowledged, and it was stated in the document that “we write to reassure you of our intention to refund and correct the transaction error from your end.”
Through our First Bank account, we actually received N30,604,651.16 in double credit entry into our account. Nevertheless, our Director has not yet returned from his trip and is not currently in the nation. Through this memorandum, we guarantee that we will set up the reimbursement of this payment as soon as possible.
In the meantime, our correspondent exclusively obtained a Remita payment document with serial number 1105-5500-0255, which further disclosed that on October 13, 2021, Mr. Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Ltd. refunded the entire amount of N30,604,812.41 to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development for the National Social Investment Program.
Adatech Integrated Services confirmed the refund in a separate letter, stating that it had attached a copy of the refund evidence as well as the refund confirmation, and the letter was signed by the company manager, Obi Stanley.
The title of the document is “Director, Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Social Investment Program.”
We are writing to let you know that we have found and fixed the issue with your ministry’s two payments to our business. We are happy to notify you that, as of October 31, 2021, the reimbursement for the double payment has been completed and refunded to your account.
“We sincerely apologies for any trouble that this may have caused and guarantee that receiving duplicate payments was not our goal. We looked into the problem very away, fixed it, and returned the excess payment as soon as we realized it.
“For your reference, we have attached the following documents: 1. Award letter (FMHADMSD/PROC/01063/Vol.1/III) with file no. 2. Refund Confirmation: A duplicate of the proof of refund. 3. Bank Statement: An image of our bank statement that shows the transaction for the return.
“We respectfully ask for a confirmation or explanation from the ministry to verify that the reimbursement has been received. I appreciate your quick response to this issue. We are eager to maintain our cordial connection with your ministry.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Crimes Commission is investigating the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development about allegations of money laundering.
Among the prominent public figures charged by the anti-graft commission are former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Minister on suspension, Beta Edu, and suspended former Coordinator, National Social Investment Program, Halima Shehu
