Public Robber: How Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation Deputy Director Abdullahi Umar Swindled Federal Government of Over N130 Million in Contracts’ Fraud

Secrets Reporters

It is no longer surprising to see reports of civil servants involved in corruption activities, as corruption scandals have continued to ravage top political players in the country, with the most recent and shocking being the involvement of the Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu, leading to her suspension.

Recent findings by SecretsReporters have revealed how a civil servant, Umar Abdullahi Umar, a deputy director with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, was involved in corruption through the common practice of contract racketeering by civil servants to the sum of N136,172,655.84, violating the Code of Conduct Bureau Act for public officers.

It was revealed that Umar, while working as a full-time staff with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, was running a company by the name Global Firm Nig LTD.

It was discovered that Global Firm Nig LTD was awarded a contract for the acquisition and remedial works of an entrepreneurship training/office complex for the northeast zonal office by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research -Oshodi on the 2nd of November, 2023. The contract was worth N64,199,793.34.

Also, on the same 2nd of November, 2023, Global Firm Nig LTD was awarded the contract for the supply of project vehicles to enhance research and logistic by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research -Oshodi. The contract was worth N71,972,862.50.

Further findings show that the company Global Firm Nig LTD, registered in Abuja, Nigeria, with Registration Number 850817, has two active directors as its key management staff by the name; Umar Abdullahi Umar and Abdulazeez Abdullahi Umar

It is pertinent to note that the Code Of Conduct Bureau And Tribunal Act states that except where he is not employed on a full-time basis, engages or participates in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade, but nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a public officer from engaging in farming or participating in the management or running of any farm.