Details have surfaced regarding how a long-term Federal Government contractor, James Okwete, refunded the sum of N30,604,651.16 to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs after receiving a double payment for a completed contract under the former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
Exclusive documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that the payment was part of a N35 million contract for the “Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).”
The contract, awarded to Mr. Okwete through his company, Adatech Integrated Services Limited on December 29, 2020, and announced on January 4, 2021, under the N-Power program, was in the National Social Investment Programme within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Procured materials included manual content development for N-Tech Hardware track (worth N5,950,000) and printing of a training manual for N-Knowledge (hardware track) (worth N26,608,139.54).
The total, including Value Added Tax, amounted to N35,000,000.00.However, documents reveal that a wrongful double payment of N30,604,651.16 occurred.
In a letter dated April 27, 2021, the National Social Investment Programme informed the Managing Director of Adatech Integrated Services Limited of the error and requested a refund.
Responding on June 23, 2021, Adatech Integrated Services Ltd acknowledged the receipt of the letter and expressed the intention to refund the money, citing a double credit entry error.
Further documentation, including a Remita payment document, confirmed that on October 13, 2021, Adatech Integrated Services Ltd refunded the total sum of N30,604,812.41 to the National Social Investment Programme.
The company’s bank statement highlighted the refund transaction.
In another letter, Adatech Integrated Services confirmed the refund, attaching evidence and requesting confirmation from the ministry.
This development comes amid an ongoing probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into alleged money laundering within the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, involving notable public officials.