Fresh revelations have emerged surrounding James Okwete, a contractor employed by the Federal Government. It has recently surfaced that Okwete voluntarily returned an amount totaling N30.6 million to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. This action was prompted by the realization that he had inadvertently received duplicate payment for a contract that had been satisfactorily executed during the tenure of Sadiya Umar-Farouq as Minister.
Documents brought to light unveil that the payment in question was part of a larger N35 million agreement designated for the development and improvement of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for beneficiaries of the N-Hardware program in the North-Central region (Lot B17).
Adatech Integrated Services Limited, the company owned by Mr. Okwete, was awarded the contract on December 29, 2020, with the official announcement made on January 4, 2021. This particular contract falls within the purview of the N-Power initiative, a vital component of the National Social Investment Programme under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Approval for the contract was granted by Mr. Shittu F.O, acting on behalf of Minister Umar-Farouq.
In the course of procurement, various materials were acquired, including a content development manual specifically tailored for the N-Tech Hardware track, valued at N5,950,000. Additionally, a training manual for the N-Knowledge (hardware track) was printed, incurring a total cost of N26,608,139.54.
The total contract sum amounted to N35,000,000.00, comprising N32,558,139.54 plus a Value Added Tax at a rate of 7.5%, equivalent to N2,441,860.47.
In a letter dispatched on April 27, 2021, the National Social Investment Programme notified the Managing Director of Adatech Integrated Services Limited regarding an overpayment error amounting to N30,607,651.16, linked to the Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries in the North-Central region (Lot B17).
Subsequently, in alignment with the Minister’s directive, the Director of Finance and Accounts (NSIP), Adaramoye Joseph, endorsed the letter, formally requesting the refund of the excess payment.
The letter stated, “The Managing Director, Adatech Integrated Services Ltd. Suite B, Block C. Commerce Plaza Bhd Old secretariat Area 1. Abuja
“Regarding the subject above, it has been discovered that your company received duplicate payment in the amount of Thirty million, six hundred and four thousand, six hundred and fifty-one Naira, sixteen kobo (N30,604,651.16). The said amount was erroneously transferred into your bank account detailed below: Bank: First Bank of Nigeria plc. Account No: 2021481488.
“You are kindly requested to reimburse the sum of N30,604,651.16 to Account Name: National Social Investment Programme Remitta- RRR GIFMIS CODE-0544003001, NARRATION- Refund of Payment.”
