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Secrets Reporters
Wahab Kayode Ayoade, a federal civil servant currently employed at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, is at the center of a troubling investigation involving alleged violations of Nigerian procurement and public service laws.
Evidence reveals that Ayoade has been using his influence to secure significant federal government contracts through Muazeek Engineering Nig Limited, a company in which he holds a 60% ownership stake.
This direct involvement in federal contracts, while still holding a public office, raises serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and compliance with the country’s legal standards.
Muazeek Engineering Nig Limited, a company registered in 2021 with a paid share capital of 1,000,000 NGN, has remained active in pursuing federal contracts. On September 13, 2024, two substantial contracts were awarded to Muazeek Engineering by the Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geoscience.
The transactions involve projects tied to youth and women empowerment initiatives, as well as infrastructural development in Oyo State. The contracts collectively amount to a total of ₦12,108,374.83.
These actions are in direct violation of established legal frameworks meant to uphold integrity in Nigeria’s public sector.
It is worthy of note, to state that the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) provides the foundation for how public resources, including government contracts, should be managed. Key sections that can be highlighted include:
Section 15(5) emphasises the duty of the Nigerian state to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. It establishes the legal responsibility of government agencies to avoid favouritism, nepotism, and corrupt practices in the awarding of contracts.
Section 16(1)(b) stipulates that the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring the control of the national economy in such a way that it is not concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups. Awarding contracts to cronies violates this principle as it restricts economic opportunities to a selected few.
Moreso, Section 16(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, mandates that the government shall carry out all public procurement in a transparent, competitive manner and based on value for money. It prohibits the selection of contractors based on personal relationships rather than merit and competence.
Furthermore, Section 9 of the code of conduct for public officers involved with procurement states, a public officer shall decline to serve in a procurement process if any of the bidders or service providers engaged in the procurement proceedings is related to him by blood, marriage, or grant relationship, or where the success of a particular Bidder or service provider in the proceedings will confer a pecuniary or other advantage on him.
Despite the constitutional provisions and legal framework aimed at promoting fairness and transparency, the award of contracts to cronies remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria.
Ayoade’s dominant role in a private entity benefiting from federal contracts contravenes these rules, questioning whether due processes were adhered to during the contracting process. The Public Procurement Act of 2007 prohibits civil servants from participating in federal procurement to prevent corrupt practices, ensuring transparency and fairness in the allocation of government resources.
Wahab Kayode Ayoade’s alleged manipulation of his position for personal gain reflects broader systemic issues within Nigeria’s public service sector, casting doubt on the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms designed to prevent such ethical breaches.
