News
How NEMA DG, Maihaja Awarded Contracts To Non-Existing Companies
The director general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, has been breaching Public Procurement Act by awarding contracts to companies that do not meet legal requirements and non existing companies, the House of Representatives has discovered.
This disclosure was made at the resumed investigative public hearing organised by the committee on the violation of public trust in National Emergency Management Agency.
The lawmakers noted that documents before the committee which were made available to the director general in the hearing, clearly showed that majority of the companies approved by the agency to undergo contracts were in breach of the Procurement Act to the extent that one of the companies, Three Brothers, is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
They also discovered from documents presented to the committee by the National Pension Commission that most of the companies were defaulters in remittance of pension, defaulters in tax payment as submitted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service to the committee, and do not operate ITF.
Furthermore, the committee observed that the DG of NEMA had been exceeding his approval limit for contracts without due approval by the presidency.
Speaking in his defense, NEMA DG presented a Certificate of No Objection obtained from the Bureau Of Public Procurement (BPP) as proof that all due process procedures were followed before the contracts were awarded.
This, however, was rejected by members of the Committee who explained that there are documents that clearly show the breaches in question whose authenticity have not been contested, and therefore, the BPP must have cleared the contracts in error.
The lawmakers also expressed reservation over the exemption of the director general in the suspension of personnel of the agency over allegations of corruption.
They said it was puzzling that the director general, who was also listed among the list of people allegedly involved in corrupt activities and defrauding Nigerians, has been allowed to continue superintending over the affairs of the agency.
The committee noted that due to the absence of the suspended personnel, especially the director of Finance and accounts, certain information required by the House will not be available, and therefore, the DG must appear with them for tomorrow’s hearing.
Going further, they questioned the speed with which the affected staff were suspended based on a report purportedly emanating from the governing council of NEMA is questionable because the council was inaugurated on the 3rd of April, considered the report of the EFCC on corruption allegations on the same day and recommended the suspension of the director of Finance and Accounts; acting director, Special Duties; deputy director, Welfare; director, Disaster Risk; head of Special Air Operation Unit and the chief maintenance officer.
Out of all the suspended staff, the Finance and Accounts director was immediately replaced by the DG who requested the BPP to send a replacement. The replacement resumed the next day after the suspension.
Other areas which the committee made disclosures include the failure of the agency to respond swiftly to emergencies across the country even after receiving funds for relief materials for affected persons, the House of Representatives has discovered. It took a range of 6 months to one year for people and communities who were in emergency situations to get relief from NEMA, even in many cases where funds were readily available.
This followed the inability of Engineer Maihaja to explain why after receiving N1.6 billion from the federal government for emergency relief in July 2017 for flood victims, the agency failed to provide relief materials to affected people and areas until December, 2017, six months after the incidents took place in 16 states across the country, when it started distribution.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
-
Politics3 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics1 week agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)
-
Politics1 week agoFintiri Dumps PDP for APC, Moves with Cabinet, 14 Adamawa Lawmakers