…Alleges in-house bidding, diversion and broken EFCC settlement
The crisis surrounding an alleged ₦57 billion Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) contract has intensified, as contractor, Mr. Emmanuel Otokpa issued a sharp rejoinder accusing the NPA Managing Director, Dr. Ɗantsoho Abubakar, of misrepresenting facts and failing to honour an EFCC-mediated agreement.
Otokpa insists that contrary to the MD’s recent letter denying his companies ever took part in NPA bidding, an in-house bidding process did take place in 2022, allegedly facilitated by aides to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN).
He claims company profiles were submitted at NPA Lagos, a selection of 15 companies was made, and award letters dated February 27, 2023 were issued and collected by Malami’s aides—but never released to him.
However, the contractor says the NPA MD “cannot feign ignorance”, stressing that Dr. Ɗantsoho was then Executive Director (Operations) and should know the origin of the award documents.
Following a January 2024 petition to EFCC, investigators reportedly confirmed some documents and advised an internal settlement. NPA allegedly offered Otokpa ₦25 billion as part of the original contract. He claims NPA engineers then demanded—and received—millions for Bills of Quantities, but no award letters or mobilization followed.
In a previous statement, Otokpa accused former NPA MD Mohammed Bello Koko, former AGF Malami, and their aides of diverting contract funds before the 2023 transition, leaving his companies stranded despite award letters and budget approvals.
He is now appealing to President Bola Tinubu, EFCC, civil society and human rights groups to intervene, insisting that the contract—meant for educational projects in Kebbi, Kaduna and other states—must be re-awarded.
Otokpa warned that the unresolved matter could resurface legally in the future, as multiple companies were involved and original award documents remain withheld.
He concluded that despite petitions to the Presidency, police, DSS and EFCC, no decisive action has been taken since 2023, leaving the scandal unresolved.
