By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has denied allegations of a N57 billion contract diversion, stating it has no record of awarding contracts to companies linked to contractor Mr. Emmanuel Otokpa. The clarification was issued in response to a petition claiming that senior government officials diverted multi-billion-naira projects.
In a letter dated 22 October 2025 and signed by M.O. Ogbuitepu, Assistant General Manager (Legal), on behalf of the Managing Director, the NPA stated that an internal investigation found no evidence that any of the companies mentioned by Otokpa participated in procurement processes.
According to the NPA, the contractor’s claims—submitted through an appeal letter dated 30 May 2025 and addressed to the current Managing Director, Mr. Yusuf Dansoho are baseless, as the agency “is not in possession of any contract or sum belonging” to his companies.
The agency emphasized that its procurement system operates strictly through open competitive binding, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and not through recommendations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
NPA: Purported Award Letters Did Not Emanate From Us
The NPA stated that the documents attached by the contractor—including alleged contract award letters—were not issued by the Authority.
“The purported contract award letters attached to your letter neither emanated from nor were issued by the Authority,” the NPA wrote.
The agency further noted that none of the listed companies submitted bids or participated in any procurement exercise, undermining the legitimacy of the contractor’s claims.
Given these findings, the Authority said it could not honour Otokpa’s request for the release of the alleged contracts or the purported N57 billion tied to them.
Contractor Insists Contracts Were Awarded in 2022
In his appeal, Otokpa claimed the contracts—valued at N57,000,000,000 were originally awarded in July 2022 to various companies acting on his behalf, allegedly through directives from the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and former NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko.
He described himself as a law-abiding citizen and argued that the matter had been the subject of multiple correspondences involving the NPA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Otokpa also attached documents he said supported his position, including copies of correspondence between the NPA and the former Attorney-General’s office, disputed award letters, and petitions filed before the EFCC.
Contractor Calls for Presidential Intervention
Reacting verbally after receiving NPA’s denial, the contractor accused unnamed officials of corruption and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to prevent what he described as a “serious injustice.”
He warned that the situation could escalate if the alleged wrongdoing is not addressed and insisted that the contracts legitimately belong to his companies.
NPA Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Irregular Procurement
The Nigerian Ports Authority reiterated its commitment to due process, transparency, and compliance with national procurement laws, stressing that no contract can be awarded outside the statutory bidding procedures.
The dispute remains under public scrutiny as the contractor presses his claims while the NPA maintains that the alleged N57 billion contract does not exist within its records.
