By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As the controversy surrounding the N57 billion Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) contract continues, the main contractor, Mr. Emmanuel Otokpa, has made fresh allegations. He claimed that the NPA moved the contract funds from its account to another account before the government’s handover in 2023, despite a circular prohibiting such transactions.
Otokpa revealed that Barrister Nafiu Yakubu Lugga, the Special Adviser (SA) to former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, informed him that the N57 billion had already been moved when he raised concerns after seeing the government directive on television.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, Otokpa stated that the contract, awarded under Malami’s office during the Buhari administration, was diverted and the funds siphoned, preventing its execution in Kebbi, Kaduna, Benue, and other
According to a statement shared with journalists, Otokpa petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which launched an investigation. He and his lawyer, Bolarewa Aidi (SAN), were invited to EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where officials verified the authenticity of the documents, including Malami’s signature.
“The EFCC Chairman received my petition, and after investigations, they advised that the matter be resolved in-house, possibly to avoid further embarrassment to those involved,” he explained.
He further alleged that the current NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, reached out through Hon. Yakubu Hamza, the former Personal Assistant (PA) to Malami, offering him a reduced contract of N25 billion instead of the original N57 billion.
“I accepted the settlement terms, and I was asked to send money for the preparation of the Bill of Quantity and Costing, which I did. Later, I was told that due to inflation, the total contract sum had been adjusted to N30 billion,” Otokpa stated.
However, despite sending additional funds for the collection of award letters, Otokpa alleged that he has only received “endless promises” while Hon. Hamza Yakubu stopped responding to his calls and messages.
“Instead, Hamza sent messages to a Deputy Director, alleging that the NPA had an arrangement with him and that if I wasn’t careful, I would lose the contracts. This suggests that the NPA may be planning to divert the contracts again,” he alleged.
Otokpa expressed frustration with the EFCC’s slow response, stating that despite multiple reminder letters from his lawyers, the anti-graft agency has not taken action against those responsible.
