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Secrets Reporters
An investigation has revealed a case of corruption and abuse of power involving a federal civil servant, Dr. Fadila Ismail, who is believed to be illegally securing federal government contracts in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Headquarters.
Documents obtained by SecretsReporters suggest that Dr. Ismail, a Senior Registrar in Medical Microbiology and Parasitology at the State House Medical Centre, has been using her position to divert public funds to her private company, Pait Advanced Solution Limited. The ministry has paid Pait Advanced Solution Limited a total of ₦303,788,643.92 across 11 transactions, raising concerns about possible misappropriation of government funds.
Under Nigerian law, it is illegal for a civil servant to engage in private business, particularly when it involves the awarding of government contracts. Section 5, Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly states:
“A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.”
Furthermore, the Public Procurement Act of 2007 prohibits public officers from participating in or benefiting from government contracts. Section 58(5) of the Act declares:
“Any public officer involved in the requisition, tendering, or contracting process who has a direct or indirect interest in any bid or who possesses any pecuniary interest in the outcome of any bid or who accepts a bribe, gratuity, or kickback in relation to any bid shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years without an option of fine.”
Pait Advanced Solution Limited, the company at the center of the investigation, was incorporated in Abuja, Nigeria, with Registration Number RC 1200762 on June 30, 2014. The company is listed as a private company limited by shares, specializing in information and communication technology services. Its registered address is Bright Star Plaza, No. 50 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, FCT.
The company’s key management personnel include Dr. Fadila Ismail and Dikko Abba, both serving as directors. Given Dr. Ismail’s full-time employment with the Federal Civil Service and her role at the State House Medical Centre, her directorship of Pait Advanced Solution Limited appears to be a clear violation of Nigerian laws prohibiting public officers from engaging in private businesses that conflict with their public duties.
The investigation revealed that Pait Advanced Solution Limited has been the beneficiary of multiple contracts from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. A breakdown of the 11 transactions shows that the company received substantial payments for services ranging from training on leadership and team management to cultural programs and advocacy jingles.
It is believed that the total sum of ₦303,788,643.92 paid to Pait Advanced Solution Limited represents a suspicious concentration of government contracts to a single entity, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the awarding process. The pattern of transactions suggests a possible misuse of public funds, with contracts being awarded to a company directly linked to a senior civil servant.
The involvement of Dr. Fadila Ismail, a public servant, in a private business benefiting from government contracts, contravenes established Nigerian laws, including the 1999 Constitution and the Public Procurement Act of 2007. Legal experts argue that her actions may constitute a conflict of interest and abuse of office, warranting further investigation and possible prosecution.
Further complicating the picture is the company’s apparent non-compliance with tax obligations. Pait Advanced Solution Limited is evading taxes, a criminal offense under Nigerian law. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007, explicitly prohibits tax evasion and prescribes severe penalties for offenders, including fines, imprisonment, or both. Under Section 40 of the Act, any person who willfully evades tax is guilty of an offense and, upon conviction, may face imprisonment for up to five years, depending on the severity of the evasion. Tax evasion not only constitutes a serious legal and ethical breach but also undermines Nigeria’s financial system, which relies heavily on tax revenues.
The 11 transactions include:
On March 25, 2022, the International Centre for Biotechnology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, paid ₦21,598,369.03 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for hosting international advisory and review meetings. Payment #1000921613-15, Payer Code: 0517021043.
On October 1, 2021, the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation paid ₦31,185,000.00 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for programme expenses related to the forthcoming programme on deploying arts and culture as a tool for poverty eradication among Black and African people through training on bead making and hair weaving/braiding scheduled to hold in Lagos. Payment #1000850784-3, Payer Code: 0123031005.
On December 25, 2022, the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation paid ₦5,940,000.00 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for cultural and contemporary performances and other entertainment services in commemoration of Festac’77 at 45. Payment #1001022611-7, Payer Code: 0123031005.
On December 27, 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics paid ₦72,955,723.64 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for ARC-P advocacy jingles. Payment #1001022976-1, Payer Code: 0220021001.
On December 27, 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics paid ₦43,380,253.10 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for ARC-P press briefing and community engagement. Payment #1001022976-15, Payer Code: 0220021001.
On December 23, 2022, the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation paid ₦9,652,500.00 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for media and publicity services in commemoration of Festac’77 at 45. Payment #1001020608-7, Payer Code: 0123031005.
On February 18, 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics paid ₦74,703,060.90 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for ARC-P radio and TV jingles. Payment #1001035500-9, Payer Code: 0220021001.
On September 28, 2023, the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation paid ₦7,125,736.86 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited for programme expenses in celebration of the annual Black History Month. Payment #1001099559-7, Payer Code: 0123031005.
On May 6, 2024, the Public Complaints Commission paid ₦16,576,744.18 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited as part payment for training on leadership and team management for staff of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Ogun States. Payment #1001178824-1, Payer Code: 0145001001.
On May 29, 2024, the Public Complaints Commission paid ₦11,108,930.63 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited as the second part payment for training on leadership and team management for staff of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Ogun States. Payment #1001188288-1, Payer Code: 0145001001.
On August 1, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Headquarters paid ₦9,562,325.58 to Pait Advanced Solution Limited as the cost fee for training on finance and accounting skills improvement for account and internal audit staff, Batch B. Payment #1001201854-4, Payer Code: 0238001001.
Efforts to reach the ministry and the company failed at the time of filing this report.
