ICPC Summons  River Basin Authority Management Over Procurement Fraud Allegations

 

 

ICPC Summons  River Basin Authority Management Over Procurement Fraud Allegations

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) launched a probe into the OORBDA following multiple complaints of alleged infractions in its 2025 budget procurement processes.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned the management of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) over allegations of procurement fraud.

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the development authority and signed by Bello Bakori, Head of Constituency Projects Tracking, the commission stated it was investigating “an alleged violations of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000 and it has become necessary to make recourse to your organisation for information.”

The letter read: “In view of the above and pursuant to section 28 of the aforementioned Act, you are expected to appear before the undersigned on the 18th of September, 2025, by 10:00 hrs prompt at the commission’s headquarters with the underlined documents.”

Icpc

The documents listed include: “The agency’s proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year, the approved budget for 2025, up to date nominal roll, the establishment instrument of the agency.”

 

Background

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) launched a probe into the OORBDA following multiple complaints of alleged infractions in its 2025 budget procurement processes.

In a series of correspondence dated June 30, 2025, and addressed to the management of OORBDA, the BPP acknowledged receipt of petitions from contractors and whistle-blowers over irregularities in contract awards.

According to the documents seen by SaharaReporters, it was noted that “the Bureau is in receipt of several complaints with respect to the procurement proceedings carried out by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) for projects under the 2025 Budget.”

EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s Bureau Of Public Procurement Probes Ogun-Osun River Basin Over Contract Fraud, Bid Rigging; Suspends Bidding Process
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EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s Bureau Of Public Procurement Probes Ogun-Osun River Basin Over Contract Fraud, Bid Rigging; Suspends Bidding Process
It further noted that, “The allegations border on Inflation of Contracts, tampering of In-House Estimates, Bid Rigging, Collusion and other contraventions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

The BPP warned that the alleged infractions, if proven, could tarnish the credibility of government procurement reforms.

“In view of the grave allegations levelled against the OORBDA, which if proven to be true can cast aspersions on the reputation of Federal Government and be injurious to the ongoing procurement reforms,” it said.

Consequently, the Bureau directed the Authority to immediately forward key documents for review.

These include: “Comments on the allegations raised in the complaint; copies of the solicitation documents; copies of the bid documents issued to the bidders; the original and revised copies of the In-House Estimates that were issued to the bidders, including the Bills of Quantities; copies of the prequalification and financial bid documents submitted by the bidders; and any other relevant documents that will enable the Bureau make an informed decision.”

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the BPP announced a suspension of the affected procurements.

“Consequent to the above, the Bureau hereby suspends any further action on the subject procurement process until the Bureau settles the matter. This request is made pursuant to Sections 6(1)(h) and (m) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007,” it said.

The Bureau also extended its directive beyond the current fiscal year, demanding broader aaccountability.

“Further to the above, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority should forward the complete records of the procurement proceedings for the Years 2023 to 2024 Capital and Recurrent procurements to the Bureau for review,” it said.

In a letter addressed to one of the petitioners who wrote on behalf of concerned contractors and whose name SaharaReporters has withheld to avoid victimisation, the BPP acknowledged the petitions which originated from contractors under the umbrella of “Concerned Contractors.”

“This is to refer to your letter dated 20th June, 2025, which forwarded a copy of a petition submitted under the aegis of the Concerned Contractors, over allegations of irregularities in the procurement processes of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development and called for a review of the procurement process.”

In its correspondence to one of the petitioners, the Bureau added that the complaint was being examined under its whistle-blower framework.

“The Bureau has noted your complaint submitted under the aegis of the Concerned Contractors, which the Bureau is reviewing under its whistle-blower policy, since the Concerned Contractor does not appear to have participated as a legal entity in the subject procurements,” it said.