Nigeria: Contractor Summoned Over Multi-Billion Naira Security Contract

Security agencies will today (Monday) quiz a defence and security contractor, Mr. Rabiu Hassan, as part of the ongoing investigation into a multi-billion naira contract for the procurement of 20 units of K-38 patrol boats for the Nigeria Army.

Hassan, who is the chief executive officer of Hypertech UK, is the author of a petition titled: "Conspiracy, fraud, supervision and compromising of Nigeria's National Security and Official Corruption in the Award and Execution of National Security and Defence Projects in Nigeria."

In that petition sent to the President, and security and anti-corruption agencies, Hassan had alleged that some Isreali contractors, along with some Nigerian officials, defrauded the nation in the procurement of over N3billion K-38 patrol boats for the army by supplying only eight units, even though 80 per cent of the total contract sum had been collected.

Because of the amount involved and sensitive nature of the contract, it was gathered that the office of the National Security Adviser and the State Security Service (SSS) were the two government departments currently carrying out discreet investigation into the issue, though petitions were sent to the two anti-corruption agencies.

A top official of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Security (PICOMSS) was said to have been quizzed concerning the contract while invitation had been sent to a former National Security Adviser to come and shed light on the status of the procurement.

THISDAY gathered that Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), a senior aide of the National Security Adviser, invited Hassan to appear at the NSA office today. He is also billed to appear at the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja over the same issue.

When Hassan was contacted last night, he confirmed the invitation adding that he arrived in the country on Sunday afternoon so that he could honour the invitation from the two offices today.