A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to demand a full disclosure of the procurement details of the controversial N6 billion police uniforms contract allegedly awarded under questionable circumstances.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Ezenwa Nwagwu, the executive director of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), said the FOI request, follows widespread reports alleging financial irregularities in the award and execution of the contract.
“As responsible civil society actors, we are not here to make accusations but to raise critical questions in the public interest—questions that demand thoughtful and transparent answers,” he said.
“Not only to uphold institutional integrity but to restore public confidence in our policing system.
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“Reports circulating on social media that over N234 billion may have been mismanaged under the current administration of the Police Force call for serious concern and deserve a transparent and detailed response or explanation.
“For instance, we expect an explanation to report alleging a N6 billion contract for police uniforms was split into 66 smaller contracts—each just under the procurement threshold—despite a prior budgetary allocation for the same purpose?
“Could it be true that on January 16, 2024, through internal memo CQ 6000/DLS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.83/946, IGP Egbetokun reportedly approved the award of a N6 billion contract for the supply of police uniforms, an amount well beyond his approval threshold.”
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He said reports claimed that the contract was allegedly split into 66 smaller contracts—each under N100 million—to evade procurement regulations, all awarded to a single company, Messrs Crown Natures Nigeria Plc.
Nwagwu noted that the civil society groups are questioning the rationale behind the alleged contract-splitting, especially given that the 2024 federal budget already allocated N7.34 billion for the procurement of police uniforms.
“Was due process followed in the reported sale and ceding of critical police barracks and assets, allegedly to individuals with personal ties to senior police leadership?” he asked.
He added that a petition has also been submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the allegations.
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“We believe this is a necessary step to support reform, not to cast blame,” Nwagwu said.
“We reaffirm our belief that reform and accountability must go hand-in-hand. Nigeria deserves a police force that is not only well-equipped but also beyond reproach in its use of public funds.”
Nwagwu said accountability is essential to build public trust, enhance efficiency, and deliver the security that Nigerians “desperately” need.
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