Reps to investigate alleged N6bn police contract racketeering

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged contract racketeering in the Nigerian Police amounting to billions of naira.

The decision was taken after a motion of urgent national importance moved by the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Abia, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, during the plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

Osonwa had raised concerns over the alleged award of a N6 billion contract by the Nigerian Police Procurement department without due process, which, according to him was an erosion of public trust.

“The Nigeria Police Force Procurement department allegedly awarded a N6 billion contract to Crown Natures Ltd

“By splitting it into 66 separate contracts in a deliberate attempt to circumvent the Public Procurement Act of 2007, particularly in procurement of uniforms,” he said.

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The lawmaker who expressed concern over the violation of section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended by the Police, called for urgent action to address the allegation.

Osonwa further called the attention of his colleagues to the undermining of the country’s internal security architecture by the Nigeria Police with its award of contract for procurement of arms to private companies in violation to procurement rules.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, referred the motion to the committee on public accounts and public procurement for further legislative actions. (NAN)