Coalition Demands Probe Of NCDMB Executive Secretary Over Alleged Financial Misappropriation 

ABUJA – The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG) has called for a thorough investigation into alleged financial misappropriation involving the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engineer Felix Omatsola Ogbe. 

The civil society group raised serious concerns over a reported 9.9 billion naira (approximately 6.6 million USD) allegedly misappropriated for consultancy services within the board.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the convener of CCSGG, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, stated that Engr. Ogbe authorized the transfer of a significant sum for consultancy services without the proper documentation or transparency. He emphasized the need for swift action by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

“We urge the EFCC to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation into the financial activities of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and the NCDMB, especially focusing on the alleged misappropriation of N9.9 billion,” Jacob said, stressing the gravity of the allegations.

The CCSGG outlined several key concerns related to the contract, including claims that the consultancy agreement was not advertised, which they argued violated procurement laws. They also questioned whether the necessary approvals were obtained from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the large contract. Additionally, the group raised concerns about the lack of adequate justification for the financial outlay, noting that the consultancy fees seemed excessive given the scale of the project.

Jacob continued, “These are not mere allegations; there are documents that substantiate the claims against Engr. Ogbe. We call on the EFCC to investigate these claims and take appropriate legal action if wrongdoing is confirmed.”

The CCSGG also highlighted other alleged financial mismanagement, including the approval of 503 million naira for a workshop in London and over 400 million naira spent on an end-of-year party, a breakdown of which included food and finger foods.

In response to the allegations raised by CCSGG, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board issued a statement dismissing the claims as unfounded and recycled. The NCDMB described the allegations as “patently false” and emphasized that these were similar to accusations previously made by Sahara Reporters, which had been categorically denied by the board.

“The Board has observed the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and due process in its operations,” the statement read. 

The NCDMB maintained that no such expenditure of N7.7 billion had been made for consultancy services, clarifying that S.B Capital Partners & Advisory Limited, the forensic auditing firm engaged by the board, was operating under a valid and ongoing contract for the recovery of unremitted deductions by oil and gas companies.

“There was no such expenditure of N7.7 billion by the Board for consultancy services,” the statement stressed.

The board also asserted that the strategic workshop referenced by CCSGG was an annual event held to align the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act among key ministries, departments, and agencies. According to the NCDMB, all expenses related to this workshop and other projects were conducted in accordance with approved financial and procurement guidelines.

Furthermore, the board emphasized its commitment to transparency, citing its recognition as the top-performing agency for transparency and efficiency by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for three consecutive years.

“The allegations by some desperate individuals seeking to tarnish the board’s hard-earned reputation should be completely disregarded.

“The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) wishes to alert the general public that a sponsored group, masquerading as a coalition of civil society group for good governance are recycling the same bogus and unfounded allegations that were recently published against the operations of our agency by Sahara Reporters.

While we have dismissed these patently false allegations in a widely circulated press statement on Thursday, February 13, titled “NCDMB OBSERVES THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND DUE PROCESS IN ITS OPERATIONS,” the statement stressed.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to restate that:  Neither the Board nor the Executive Secretary spent the amount stated in the headline of the referenced statement,” it concluded.

The CCSGG has reiterated its call for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the EFCC to uphold accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.