James Okwete, a contractor alleged to be an ally of former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, executed capital projects on behalf of the federal government but failed to formalise his company’s obligations with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Findings by FIJ showed that Okwete owns Jamec West Africa, a company with its registered address at Suite 10, Dumec Plaza, opposite Nigeria Airforce Transit Quarters, Auchi Close, Area 1, Garki, Abuja.

Reports recently emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Okwete over his alleged role in laundering money to the tune of N37,170,855,753.44 through Umar-Farouq as former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. Some reports stated that the anti-graft commission invited the ex-minister for interrogation.

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FIJ has acquired publicly available data showing details of the multibillion-naira worth of contracts executed by Okwete’s company. However, the details FIJ obtained have no express connection with the former minister’s ministry.

The company has enjoyed considerable patronage from the federal government, as shown by its activities, particularly under the last dispensation.

AKWA IBOM POWER SUBSTATION

In February 2023, the federal government inaugurated the construction of a 2x30MVA, 132/33KV power substation in Akwa Ibom State to serve as an addition to the country’s electricity power extension.

The project was awarded to Okwete’s Jamec West Africa Limited for N6.8 billion with a completion timeframe of 18 months, according to Goddy Jeddy-Agba, then Minister of State for Power, who represented Buhari at the ground-breaking ceremony,

“We are here for an official ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of 2×30/40MVA substation at Ibiono Ibom. The contract for the engineering, procurement, and construction of 2×30/40MVA substation at Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State was awarded in favour of M/S Jamec West Africa Ltd with completion period of 18 months,” Jeddy-Agba said.

Prior to the construction commencement, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had issued a “certificate of no objection” in favour of the company alongside other 383 companies for the period January 28, 2020, to December 31, 2021. By this document, the BPP stated that due process was followed in the award of the project.

The BPP document revealed that the project has both local and foreign components. While the local component would cost N775,773,884.45, the foreign component would cost US$7,098,940.05. In 2022, the company received N448,987,646.28 as “balance of 30% advanced payment” for the contract.

PROJECT PAYMENTS

In 2021, the federal government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, released a series of funds described as “final payments” for some contracts executed by the Abuja-based company.

A document showed that the company got N11,595,669.16 with payment number 1000858533-3 and payer code 0234001001, being final payment for the construction of a block of three classrooms at Daurawa Primary School in Katsina State, apparently former President Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown and state.

The company also received N23,097,955.21 with payment number 1000858528-4 and payer code 0234001001 from the same ministry as the final payment for the construction of two blocks of three classrooms in Borno State.

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Another payment totaling N85,326,407.38 with payment number 1000858526-4 and payer code 0234001001 for the completion of the construction of federal roads in AMAC FCT Senatorial District, Abuja, also went to the company through the same works and housing ministry.

The same document further showed that Jamec West Africa Limited received in payment N69,452,565.48, described as a part-payment for the construction of some units of buildings in Abia State.

The company is also responsible for the ongoing construction of the National Sports Medicine and High Performance Centre at the Moshood Abiola Stadium. At N2.4 billion, Buhari’s government awarded the project to the company.

FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS

According to a report by Dataphyte in August 2023, Jamec West Africa Limited got N6.850 billion in contract money from the government from 2018 to 2023. Out of this, N2.416 billion, representing 35.27 percent, was paid to the company in 2023 alone.

Despite this whooping sums of money, the company has continued to evade filing its statutory annual returns with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as its registration status showed “inactive” when FIJ checked.

Timely filing of annual returns shows operational status of a company and enables it to bid for contracts from private and government institutions. It is not the same as the tax returns organisations are required to submit to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Jamec West Africa Limited, as a limited liability company, is required to file its annual returns not later than 42 days after its annual general meeting yearly. Notwithstanding its failure, the company has been bidding for and obtaining contracts from the government.

DOZENS OF COMPANIES TRACED TO OKWETE

The following persons share the directorship of Jamec West Africa Limited with Okwete: Okwete Chigozie, Okwete Franklyn and Okwete Fidelia. All of them claim the same address on the CAC portal.

FIJ also traced the ownership of Hi-Mansion Allied Services Limited to the former minister’s alleged criminal co-conspirator. This company was registered in 2009. Like Jamec, Hi-Mansion is also marked ‘inactive’ on the CAC website.

The PUNCH obtained a document showing Okwete reportedly had 53 companies out of which he had fronted 47 to secure government contracts worth N27,423,824,339.86.

An undated document released by Nigeria Customs (NCS) revealed that Okwete’s Jamec West Africa Limited prequalified for the supply of motor and operational vehicles. Some 18 other companies were also listed as prequalified contractors on the list.

In 2018, the company’s bid to secure capital projects from the NCS failed. Information made available on the border management agency’s website did not disclose the reason for the failure.

The company also succeeded in pre-qualifying for the installation of transformers and distribution of street lights in Umuoka community in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, per an undated document posted on the Rural Electrification Agency’s website.

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Searches to obtain information about any contract the company might have won from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under Umar-Farouq’s leadership were not successful.

A phone number listed against the company’s name on a CAC form was not reachable when our reporter dialled the number on Sunday.