Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is set to prosecute the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Limited (NBET), Marilyn Amobi, for alleged gross abuse of office.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President had via a letter dated February 11, 2019, directed the ICPC to investigate allegations of corruption against Ms Amobi.
In March, the commission wrote back to the Vice President that Amobi was culpable of some of the allegations against her.
Amobi was accused of disregard for procurement laws, illegal funding of foreign trip for federal lawmakers, six years payment for office furniture for a four-year tenure and side-lining of due process in the purchase of her vehicles.
Other allegations include that Amobi funded NBET’s expenditure without appropriation from the National Assembly, authorised withdrawals from the Central Bank to fund unnecessary training, sanctioned transfer of staff illegally and stopped payment of salaries to two management staff.
In the report, ICPC cleared the NBET boss of wrongdoings in the purchase of vehicles, expenditure on new office space, training of staff and posting of staff from Office of Accountant-General of the Federation.
The commission, however, said that Amobi faltered in areas of procurement and fund approvals.
“The Respondent (MD) does not follow due process in award of contracts.
“The Respondent (MD) makes payments before securing the required approvals.
“The Respondent (MD) received excess furniture allowances of N22,646,328.48 above the approved N5,777,595.00 for CEOs of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” the report said.
ICPC also indicated that two management staff of NBET, Waziri Bintube and Abdullahi Sambo, were ‘wrongfully dismissed.’
The two are believed to have been victimised by Amobi for whistle-blowing alleged fraudulent activities in NBET.
ICPC concluded in the report that it would carry out the following: “Prosecution of all indicted persons, as revealed in the investigation report, for the violation of Procurement Act, 2007 and ICPC Act, 2000.
“A comprehensive review of the operations of all the 11 Discos so as to come up with the necessary recommendations that can enhance better performance and adequate remittance to the Federal Government and make necessary input into the power policy as directed by Mr President.”
