Crime
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
By: Joe Lazarus
Facts emerging from the Nigerian Postal Services, NIPOST revealed that to circumvent the laid down procedure in Public Procurement Act on Award of Contract with particular emphasis on mandatory ceiling; a contract of N95 million was fragmented into three to bring it within the mandatory ceiling of the Postmaster General to the same company- CONNECT 4 NIGERIA LIMITED.
Staff of NIPOST described this as a serious crime under the procurement acts that attract jail terms for any individuals found guilty of contract splitting, alleging that this was done under the supervision of the Director Procurement, Mr. Samuel Sagontayo.
A source within NIPOST said: “The case in NIPOST was done without due process to budgetary provision. I can tell you that the case is currently with the ICPC and investigation is ongoing. However, there are issues because we learnt that some cronies of the Vice President have approached those in charge of the investigation to downplay it for certain interest.”
Also another staff of NIPOST explained that: “Liability for the contract was not also taken at the initial award of the contract in the year 2020 and bills of payments were presented for payment in the year 2021 at the detriment of other contractors whose bills have been processed for payment and have not been paid in the last two to four years.”
According to him, Dr. Adebayo Ismail has also neglected other regions of the country in the development programme of NIPOST since he came on board. “All developmental projects of NIPOST have been in the Southwestern part of the country. For example, since he came into office, he has awarded twelve (12) contracts of which only two (2) were awarded to the northeast in Bauchi and Gombe. This was also because the Board Chairman and Board member of NIPOST were from these two states. All other contracts were awarded to states in the southwest and mostly to his companies or his associates.”
It was also learnt that the Director IT, who is a Ph.D holder and IT expert, was deliberately removed from the IT department in order to perfect fraud in the organisation.
According to staff, a consultant was hired by Mr. Adebayo Ismail and was given an office inside NIPOST Headquarters. “This Consultant is collecting over N7 million on a quarterly basis without doing anything to show for his consulting work. The same consultant was also being given a contract to execute through his firm.”
In a petition written to the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, a part read: “We believe that the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, is a Federal Institution as Mr. Adebayo Ismail Adewusi has no right whatsoever to turn this organization into a tribal organization. We therefore humbly submit that you use your good office to intervene in the gross fraud, misrule and flagrant disregard to civil service procedures and total violation of the guidelines and rules governing this government institution.”
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Speaking on huge allegations the Director Corporate Communication, NIPOST, Mr. Franklyn Alao told journalists at a meeting at the corporate headquarters that, rather than feeling on small issues of distraction, he would rather build and established a relationship with the press.
However, the meeting which lasted for about an hour revealed that almost all the allegations were true as the Director Corporate Communications could not deny the facts laid to him. He however, said that they are investigating and shall correct them.
Mr. Franklyn Alao, who was emphasizing on creating an atmosphere of relationship was also being tactical in avoiding making comments on the issues, however, when asked whether he knows or is aware of some of the issues brought, he said he has been with NIPOST for over 20 years implying that he would not want to speak on issues.
According to him, “Let us forget about everything here and build a relationship.”
Insisting on the Issues of Certification for Mr. Sagontayo and asking whether or not he has a BPP clearance, or a letter showing he has a waiver from the BPP, Mr. Alao said “That issue is gone. Let us have a new relationship”.
On the drafting of Mr. Sagontayo from the legal department to procurement. Mr. Franklyn Alao told newsmen that Mr. Samuel Sagontayo has been in the Procurement Department as Director since 2012. This is however against the facts in NIPOST records that the Director Procurement Mr. S.G Wakawa retired on March 13, 2019 and Mr. Samuel Sagontayo was drafted in June 13, 2019.
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised two suspected terrorists during clearance operations conducted in parts of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a special situation report issued by Headquarters Sector 1 under Operation Desert Sanity, the operation was carried out on May 15, 2026, by troops of the 153 Task Force Battalion stationed at Kirawa.
The operation involved 15 soldiers working in conjunction with 16 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and 24 hybrid forces mounted on 28 motorcycles.
The troops reportedly advanced to Valle general area, Ashigashiya and Gakara communities during the operation aimed at clearing suspected terrorist hideouts and routes within the axis.
Military sources said contact was made with an unconfirmed number of suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad during the operation.
Following a firefight, two terrorists were neutralised, while several others reportedly retreated in disarray toward the Ngoshe axis.
Troops subsequently exploited the general area but made no further contact with the fleeing insurgents.
The forces later returned to base at about 3:00 p.m. the same day after completing the operation.
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
Crime
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and supporting acts of terrorism.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Yilwa held that the growing menace of banditry and terrorism in the country had become a serious threat to national security and should not be handled with leniency.
The judge noted that although the convict appeared remorseful and pleaded for mercy, offences connected to terrorism and arms trafficking remained grave threats to the safety of citizens.
The court heard that the convict admitted serving as a courier for the transportation of ammunition intended for bandits operating in Plateau State.
During the trial, the first prosecution witness and DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, told the court that the accused was arrested on July 6, 2025, with 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition and N57,100 cash while allegedly transporting the items to armed bandits in Plateau.
According to Tahir, the defendant made a confessional statement in Hausa language at the DSS Plateau State Command, where she disclosed that one Alhaji Sani had sent her to Zaria in Kaduna State to procure the ammunition from another individual.
The witness further stated that the accused was later transferred to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on Aug. 11, 2025, where another interview was conducted in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.
He said the defendant again admitted ownership and transportation of the ammunition and cash exhibits.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the 302 rounds of ammunition, the cash sum of N57,100, and the defendant’s statements as exhibits before the court.
The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel, Hamza Dantani.
In open court, the defendant also admitted being in possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.
One of the charges stated that the convict knowingly rendered support for acts of terrorism by transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition between Katsina and Plateau States, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused her of unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendant of concealing information about suspected gunrunners and kidnappers allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Following her guilty plea and review of the evidence presented, Justice Yilwa convicted and sentenced the defendant to 20 years imprisonment.
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment (Army) deployed at Oando Oil Company in Omoku have uncovered a large cache of illegally refined crude oil concealed within the riverine area of Ebocha Egi LII in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 9:40 a.m. on May 13 during a routine patrol and surveillance operation in the area.
The troops reportedly recovered about 7,800 litres of suspected illegally refined crude oil, stored in 130 sacks and concealed along the riverine corridor.
According to the sources , the recovered products were handled in line with existing directives under Operation Delta Safe.
Military authorities stated that follow-up operations were ongoing to track down individuals and networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the region.
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
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