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Secrets Reporters
An investigation has unearthed a scandal involving RDS Technologies, a company owned by Mainasara Sani Abubakar, who was elected Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Sokoto State Chapter in 2021/2022. Abubakar, a prominent chieftain of the ruling party, has allegedly been securing numerous contracts from the Ministry of Aviation as a form of political compensation by the APC government, favoring its cronies.
Our investigation reveals that between 2018 and 2024, RDS Technologies was awarded 42 contracts by the Ministry of Aviation. Despite the company’s questionable eligibility due to tax evasion, it continued to secure contracts up until March 13, 2024. This raises serious questions about the integrity of the contracting process and the potential diversion of public funds by influential politicians and officials within the Ministry of Aviation.
A major component of this investigation is the revelation that RDS Technologies has been evading taxes, a significant offense in Nigeria. This tax evasion should have rendered the company ineligible to apply for federal government contracts. The fact that RDS Technologies continued to receive contracts despite this underscores a possible deliberate oversight by those in power, allowing the company to benefit from public funds illegally.
RDS Technologies, a Private Unlimited Company, was incorporated on January 23, 2007. It is registered under the number 679016, with its office located at Block 4, 5 Flat 2, Apo Village, Abuja, FCT. The company boasts four directors: Abdulrahman Mai Nasara Zurmi, Auwal Balarabe, Rahamaniya Global Limited, and Mainasara Sani Abubakar.
Mainasara Sani Abubakar is a well-known figure in Nigerian politics, particularly within the APC. His tenure as the Chairman of the APC in Sokoto State was confirmed during a state congress supervised by party officials, members of the National Assembly, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Despite his eventual removal by court order, Abubakar’s influence within the party remains substantial.
The awarding of these contracts to RDS Technologies despite its ineligibility due to tax evasion suggests a deeply rooted issue of political favoritism and corruption. The 42 transactions between the Aviation Ministry and R D S Technologies Ltd are totaled to be ₦1,645,419,141.34.
In Nigeria, tax evasion is a serious offence governed by several laws, including the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Value Added Tax Act (VAT Act). These laws mandate that all taxable entities must accurately report and pay their taxes, with strict penalties for non-compliance. A company evading tax undermines the legal and financial frameworks of the country, reducing public revenue that is essential for government operations and development projects. Consequently, such companies are deemed untrustworthy and are ineligible for federal government contracts. This is to ensure that government contracts are awarded to entities that comply with the law, contribute to national development, and uphold financial integrity.
The contracts cornered by Sani include:
On November 5, 2018, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President – MDGs (OSSAP-MDGS) paid ₦42,976,190.48 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of 1MOS skill acquisition centre in Kano State.
On January 27, 2022, the Mass Literacy Council paid ₦11,766,358.00 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the purchase of office equipment – furniture for Abuja HQ, six zonal offices, and the resource centre.
On March 7, 2022, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦36,708,170.28 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGA D/Tofa sport complex.
On March 18, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦19,027,537.43 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the final payment on the contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On March 22, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta HQtrs paid ₦11,908,884.81 to R D S Technologies Ltd as part payment for the rehabilitation and equipping of Nguru/Umuowa health centre, Okpala LGA, Imo State.
On March 28, 2022, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦21,671,218.89 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGAs (D/Tofa sport complex).
On January 21, 2021, the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) HQtrs paid ₦10,216,931.75 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the supply of equipment and furnishing of a skill acquisition training centre at Sinaguru Baruten LGA, Kwara State.
On January 21, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦31,596,036.79 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGAs.
On May 26, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦61,720,926.84 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 30% mobilization fees for the additional works on the contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On July 14, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦38,781,500.78 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the final payment of IPC No. 1 on the contract for the additional works on the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta airstrip.
On July 14, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦26,764,726.63 to R D S Technologies Ltd as part payment of IPC No. 1 on the contract for the additional works on the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta airstrip.
On July 14, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦18,126,345.14 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the second part payment of IPC No. 1 on the contract for the additional works on the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta airstrip.
On March 21, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦86,911,674.40 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGAs in Kano State.
On March 30, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦10,359,789.02 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 15% advance for the rehabilitation of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta.
On March 30, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦17,193,261.17 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 15% advance payment bond for additional works on the renovation of Hajj terminal building at Katsina airport.
On August 23, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦18,529,052.90 to R D S Technologies Ltd as balance payment of IPC No. 1 for the additional works on the rehabilitation/maintenance of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On May 27, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦7,843,835.14 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 5% retention for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGAs.
On July 15, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Transport – HQtrs paid ₦57,451,190.86 to R D S Technologies Ltd for certificate No. 1 for additional works on the renovation of Katsina Hajj terminal.
On March 21, 2019, the Federal Ministry of Transportation – HQtrs paid ₦16,928,108.13 to R D S Technologies Ltd as advance payment for the renovation of Hajj terminal building at Katsina airport.
On May 16, 2019, the Federal Ministry of Transportation – HQtrs paid ₦71,538,184.11 to R D S Technologies Ltd for certificate No. 1 for additional works on the renovation of Katsina Hajj terminal building at Katsina airport.
On September 23, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦94,311,237.80 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of mini stadia at D/Batta and some selected LGAs (D/Tofa sport complex).
On November 11, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦51,252,766.71 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of D/Tofa sport complex.
On December 7, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦9,039,296.97 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the second part payment of certificate No. 2 for the additional work on the renovation of Hajj terminal at Umar Yard Adau Katsina airport.
On December 7, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Transport – HQtrs paid ₦14,381,593.14 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the first part payment of certificate No. 2 for the additional work on the renovation of Hajj terminal at Umar Yard Adau Katsina airport.
On December 20, 2021, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦34,406,175.36 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of D/Tofa sport complex.
On December 21, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦32,287,981.30 to R D S Technologies Ltd for certificate No. 1 on the contract for the rehabilitation of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On December 30, 2019, the Federal Ministry of Transport – HQtrs paid ₦15,287,155.55 to R D S Technologies Ltd for certificate No. 2 for the renovation of Katsina Hajj terminal.
On December 31, 2019, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President – MDGs (OSSAP-MDGS) paid ₦89,386,293.19 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the construction of a primary health centre in Kano State.
On September 26, 2022, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation HQtrs paid ₦10,875,136.05 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the procurement of office equipment and furniture for the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme office located in Kano, Kano State, North-West Nigeria.
On October 30, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦322,789,516.34 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 70% balance payment on the contract for the expansion of Katsina airport.
On October 29, 2022, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦23,103,640.59 to R D S Technologies Ltd for IPC No. 2 on the contract for the additional works on the renovation of Hajj terminal building at Umaru Musa Yar’adua airport, Katsina.
On November 19, 2020, the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute – Lagos paid ₦25,981,931.81 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 15% mobilization fee for the construction of mini stadia at Danbatta and some selected LGAs.
On December 28, 2020, the National Commission for Refugees paid ₦33,130,322.33 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the installation of all-in-one solar powered street lights in Udu LGA, Delta Central Sen. Dist., Delta State.
On April 6, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – HQtrs paid ₦11,116,326.93 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the final payment for the conduction and environmental and social impact assessment and financial model for the implementation of the 30MW Jaredi pilot farm project in Sokoto State.
On April 6, 2023, the National Rural Electrification Agency paid ₦28,138,261.53 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the rehabilitation of Isa LGA junction to Sabon Birnin LGA 33kV line, the purchase of one (1 No) 2.5 MVA transformer, and the rehabilitation of Doron Sule to Goronyo 33kV line, 11kV and substation.
On September 26, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦55,026,873.27 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 30% mobilization fee for the upgrade of access road to Hajj terminal, cargo terminal, and fuel dump at Umaru Musa Yar’adua airport, Katsina.
On September 29, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦64,339,737.22 to R D S Technologies Ltd as 30% mobilization fee for the erection of bi-metal lipped wire mesh fence at Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On October 6, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Aviation paid ₦10,286,821.16 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the additional works on the contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
On October 16, 2023, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult & Non-Formal Education paid ₦5,532,417.00 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the procurement of office equipment (ICT).
On December 6, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development – HQtrs paid ₦72,266,269.12 to R D S Technologies Ltd for IPC No. 1 on the contract for the upgrade of access road to the Hajj terminal and proposed cargo terminal of Umaru Musa Yar’adua airport, Katsina.
On March 8, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development – HQtrs paid ₦52,180,735.37 to R D S Technologies Ltd as the final payment for certificate No. 2 on the contract for the installation of electrical works at Maiduguri International Airport.
On March 13, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development – HQtrs paid ₦139,402,763.97 to R D S Technologies Ltd for the procurement to erect bi-metal lipped wire mesh fence at Adogo airstrip, Ajaokuta, Kogi State.
