How NABDA Director Allegedly Paid Capital Projects Funds Into Private Accounts

The Director of Medical Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr. Bartholomew Ibeh, has allegedly violated the Public Procurement Act.

Naija News gathered that funds meant for capital projects at the agency were paid into private accounts of the civil servants, including its Director.

The management of NABDA, under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has been accused of abuse of office with a flagrant violation and disregard for the extant rules of the Procurement Act.

According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the sum of ₦9,750,000.00 meant for the capital projects of the agency was paid into the First City Monumental Bank (FCMB) Account Number: 2034171014 belonging to Bartholomew Ibeh on November 28, 2018

Findings revealed that the money was for Research and Development activities associated with Recombinant Vaccine References Laboratory on Local Vaccine Screening.

Also, Ibeh, through a proxy, allegedly used the private account of a staff member, Mrs Ifedilichukwu H.E Nma of the department to receive the sum of ₦7,925,098.00 for another capital project, Research and Development on Activities Associated with DNA Typing.

The news platform said that the payment was made during the tenure of the previous Director General, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, who was allegedly aware of the infraction but has continued to shield Ibeh from disciplinary actions for several years.

Ibeh was said to be invited for interrogation by the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) at the Abuja office, and his case is currently pending before the commission.

He was also said to have used his position to suppress and frustrate a petition dated November 22, 2022, written by the Senior Staff Association NABDA branch and addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as he compromised the investigating officers handling the case.

A source who spoke to the news platform said Ibeh ought to have been directed to step down as Director of the Medical Biotechnology Department to pave the way for a thorough investigation and prevent undue interference with the process of investigation, but Abdullahi and other relevant authorities have refused to take administrative disciplinary action against him.

Another petition obtained by SaharaReporters read, “Lack of functional Organogram in the agency. We have also received complaints from senior staff about the aberration happening in some BIODECS where some staff oversee some departments, where superior officers are available. One such case is at BIODEC Makurdi, Benue State.

“The reign of impunity. The Directors run the technical departments in the agency like emperors. They personalize government facilities and maltreat staff. There is so much secrecy in the preparation of department budgets and execution of projects. Many staff members who dared to ask their HOD questions and demand their rights are usually victimized and intimidated.”

It was also learned that some union leaders who dared to ask questions on the alleged infractions by the management were victimised and subsequently had their appointments terminated in the process.

Confirming the payment to SaharaReporters, Ibeh said he had not done anything wrong and that the payment of the capital projects into his account was not out of place.

He added that he had documents to justify the action. Ibeh also denied that the affected union leaders were sacked over victimisation and other offences.

In a copy of another petition dated July 19, 2023, signed by the Chairman of the association, addressed to President Tinubu and obtained by SaharaReporters, the petition called on the President to investigate and probe the financial impropriety and gross abuse of office by Abdullahi and Ibeh.

He was also accused of mismanaging the agency’s funds at various centres.

The petition read in part, “SSAUTHRIAI NABDA Branch wishes to humbly notify you that all is not well in our agency. It is imperative to state that our trade union has the jurisdiction to unionise and represent all Senior Staff on Grade Level 7 (CONRAISS 6) and above on matters relating to welfare and conditions of service in different Establishments, including Research Institutes in Nigeria.

“Despite the huge budgetary allocations by the Federal Government to NABDA over the years, the agency is still lagging in the fulfilment of its mandate. The workers’ morale in NABDA is very low, and they are fed up with Prof Abdullahi’s administrative recklessness.

“Please find below actions of Prof Abdullahi Mustapha that constitute an abuse of the office that he occupies; Contravention of the circular by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number, 59780/S.I/T.I/117 dated 14th June, 2017 and titled Prohibition of officers on other cadres from procurement functions where career procurement officers are available. After the retirement of the previous head of the agency’s procurement unit, Prof Abdullahi posted an unqualified (non-procurement) staff, Mr. Yakasai, to head the procurement unit for his own selfish reasons in flagrant disregard for extant rules, where career procurement officers are available in the agency. Mr. Yakasai is an Administrative Officer.

“This action by Prof Abdullahi is a clear violation of the above-mentioned circular and should be investigated.”