Investigation Uncovers 2 Federal Civil Servants Illegally Running Company and Obtaining Government Contracts

Secrets Reporters

An investigation has revealed that two federal civil servants, Ma’aruf Mohammed Lawal and Tawakalitu Tayo Lawal, are running a private company, Jide-Ayo Global Concept, while simultaneously obtaining federal government contracts—actions that are explicitly prohibited under Nigerian law. 

The company, Jide-Ayo Global Concept, was incorporated on January 29, 2019, in Abuja, Nigeria, with the registration number 2779600. It is a business entity involved in “General Contracts” and is listed as active, with its registered address at Shop 45, Abuja Shopping Mall, Zone 3, Abuja, FCT.

Ma’aruf Mohammed Lawal, one of the proprietors, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, while Tawakalitu Tayo Lawal, the other proprietor, is a research officer at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), which is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Despite their full-time positions as public servants, the company has been awarded significant federal government contracts.

On June 23, 2022, JIDE-AYO GLOBAL CONCEPT was paid ₦16,748,450.00 by the Federal Road Safety Commission for services related to running the FCSC Senior Course 1, Term II. Another payment of ₦7,552,900.00 was made on August 1, 2024, for providing support services for a special intervention road show along the Gwagwalada-Lokoja axis. These payments total ₦24,301,350.00.

The involvement of Ma’aruf Mohammed Lawal and Tawakalitu Tayo Lawal in running a private company and securing federal government contracts directly violates several Nigerian laws. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), in the Fifth Schedule, Part I, Section 2(b), clearly states that a public officer shall not, except where not employed on a full-time basis, engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession, or trade. As full-time civil servants, both individuals are prohibited from managing or running a private business.

The Public Service Rules (2008), Rule 030424, further stipulate that a public officer shall not engage in any private business, trade, or profession during official hours. Where a public officer wishes to engage in private business, trade, or profession, they must obtain written permission from the head of their department or ministry, and such engagement must not conflict with their official duties. There is no record indicating that such permission was sought or obtained by either individual, suggesting a breach of these rules.

The Public Procurement Act (2007), Section 58(5), provides additional legal restrictions, stating that any public officer involved in the requisition, tendering, or contracting process who has a direct or indirect interest in any bid or possesses any pecuniary interest in the outcome of any bid shall be guilty of an offense. This section clearly prohibits civil servants from having any interest in the bidding or contracting process, an offense punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years without an option of fine.

The actions of Ma’aruf Mohammed Lawal and Tawakalitu Tayo Lawal raise serious concerns regarding conflict of interest. As civil servants, their roles in managing a private entity that obtains government contracts directly contravene Nigerian laws designed to prevent public officers from using their positions for personal gain.