Allegations of Presidential Intervention Trail Antigraft Probes of BPP Director-General
Concerns have emerged in some quarters over the status of petitions submitted to Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies regarding the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, following claims attributed to unnamed sources that investigations may have slowed.
Sources familiar with the matter say the controversy stems from comments allegedly credited to the BPP Director-General suggesting that petitions before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) may no longer be active. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Source: Original
There has been no official confirmation from the Presidency, the EFCC, or the ICPC that any investigation has been halted or interfered with.
According to individuals who spoke on condition of anonymity, discussions around the matter intensified after a private engagement reportedly took place between the BPP Director-General and senior government officials during a social event in Lagos. No details of the meeting have been officially disclosed, and its relevance to the petitions remains unclear.
The petitions, which are already in the public domain, relate to alleged irregularities in procurement processes, including vehicle procurement within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), financial practices, and administrative procedures at the Bureau. The allegations also mention the Director-General’s Chief of Staff, Mr Olanrewaju Obasa, in connection with procurement-related activities.
All allegations contained in the petitions remain unproven and have not been determined by any court of law.
Legal practitioners and governance analysts caution against speculation, noting that Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies are statutory bodies with the authority to conduct investigations independently, in line with established procedures.
They emphasise that public confidence in accountability institutions depends on transparency, adherence to due process, and clear communication from relevant authorities when concerns arise.
The Bureau of Public Procurement, established under the Public Procurement Act 2007, is mandated to promote transparency, competition, and value for money in public procurement across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Experts note that the strength of the institution lies both in its regulatory role and its openness to scrutiny when complaints are formally lodged.
The petitions were submitted in 2025 by an Abuja-based lawyer and civil society advocate, Barrister Fatai Amokeoja, and separately by another legal practitioner, Musa Aliyu, Esq. Copies were forwarded to the EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant authorities, including the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), as part of broader calls for institutional accountability.
Civil society organisations, including the Conference of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability (COCTA), have also staged protests urging a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. The groups stress that their demands are for inquiry, not conclusions, and have repeatedly stated that the claims do not amount to findings of guilt.
Responding to public concerns in 2025, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale, assured that the commission would examine all petitions before it in line with its mandate, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to justice, accountability, and due process.
As of the time of filing this report, stakeholders continue to call for clarity from relevant institutions on the status of the petitions, while urging restraint, respect for the rule of law, and avoidance of premature conclusions.
Source: Legit.ng
