How Federal Ministry of Health Spent N158 Million to Purchase ‘Face Masks’ Using Three Tax Evading Companies in 2020

Secret Reporters

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), a parastatal of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health has revealed that it spent one hundred and fifty-eight million, one hundred and forty-two thousand, seven hundred naira (N158, 142,700.00) on unspecified number of Face Masks during the COVID-19 in 2020.

According to data obtained from the Open Procurement Portal, NPHCDA, under the stewardship of Faisal Shuaib purchased the face masks in five transactions, using three different companies.

It is not clear how the face masks were used because there are no records of the Ministry of Health under the leadership of Osagie Enahire or even the NPHCDA giving out free face masks to Nigerians or patients during the pandemic.

In two different transactions, NPHCDA spent a total of 78,904,000 to purchase face masks using Pinnacle Summit Limited. The company was incorporated in ABUJA, Nigeria with Registration Number 975980. It was registered on 29 Aug 2011 and its current status is unknown. The company’s registered office address is BLOCK6, FLAT13, KUNDECLOSE, F.H.AMAITAMA, ABUJA, FCT. The directors of the company are Aminu Dahiru, Mahmud Adamu, Usman Musa.

Similarly, NPHCDA, in two other transactions, spent N56, 910,700.00 to purchase face masks using DOZIE AND DOZIE PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED. The company was incorporated in KANO, Nigeria with Registration Number 159387. It was registered on 04 Dec 1990 and its current status is unknown. The company’s registered office address is 24, WARRI ROAD, KANO. On the company’s board of directors are Humphrey Dozie, Olabisi Oladapo, G. O. Dozie, Kenneth Dozie, and Donatus Dozie.

In another separate transaction, NPHCDA spent N22, 058.000.00 to purchase unspecified number of face masks, using RAYTAN LIMITED. The company was incorporated in Abuja, Nigeria with Registration Number 993668. It was registered on 15 Nov 2011 and its current status is unknown. Company’s registered office address is 49, EKUKINAMSTREET, UTAKODISTRICT, Abuja, FCT. The company’s directors are Chief Henry Ordy Iriogbe, Oyuki-obaseki Oghomwen, Sarah Iriogbe, Valerie Iriogbe, and Mike Iriogbe.

What is the status of PINNACLE SUMMIT LIMITED, DOZIE AND DOZIE PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED, and RAYTAN LIMITED on CAC?

A check on the Corporate Affairs Commission shows that none of the three companies is active. According to CAC, “A company that has not been filing its financial returns within a specified time is classified as inactive,” which implies tax evasion – a crime against financial regulation law.