… withdraw petition of alleged corruption

No fewer than 17 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Tuesday, withdrew allegations and begged the Director General, DG, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun.

The CSOs had earlier leveled allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection against Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, which was circulated on different conventional and online media platforms.

Also they had mobilized to hit the streets in regards to the false allegations they had earlier raised against the DG and Obasa, the Chief of Staff scheduled for this week Friday 5th December at the BPP headquarters in Abuja and the National Assembly.

The CSOs had their leaders signed the statement include: Comrade Ibrahim Bello – National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI); Hajiya Fatima Sani – Executive Director, Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barr. Chukwudi Eze – Chairman, Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke – President, Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo – General Secretary, Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF); Mr. Tunde Ogunleye – National Convener, Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms. Chioma Nwosu – Chairperson, Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf – National Secretary, Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM).

Others are, Engr. Musa Abdullahi – Director of Programmes, Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN); Prof. Grace Adeyemi – Board Chair, National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr. Segun Olawale – Spokesperson, Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole – Legal Adviser, Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); Alhaji Usman Danladi – Northern Coordinator, Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF); Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon – South-South Zonal Chairman, Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms. Bolanle Adeoti – Women Leader, Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo – South-East Coordinator, Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu – North-West Chairman, Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN).

The statement reads in part, “Today, the leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CCSO) – a platform of over seventeen (17) registered and reputable civil society groups across Nigeria – addresses the nation on a matter of principle, accountability, and national interest.

“In the past week, allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection were levelled against the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa. Some member organizations of CCSO, acting on reports circulating in the media and online, issued statements and began mobilizing for a national rally scheduled for Friday, 5th December 2025, at the BPP headquarters and the National Assembly.

“Following an emergency joint meeting of all seventeen member organizations, a thorough review of official records, and direct engagement with verifiable evidence provided by the Bureau, we have reached a unanimous resolution that the allegations are entirely false, baseless, and deliberately fabricated by interests opposed to the far-reaching reforms currently underway at the BPP.

“On behalf of the entire Coalition and its over seventeen member organizations, we hereby: “Unreservedly withdraw every statement, press release, social media post, or public comment issued by CCSO or any of its affiliates that implicated Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa in any wrongdoing.

“Tender an unreserved and sincere public apology to: Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement; Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, Chief of Staff; The management and staff of the BPP;

“The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm caused by our earlier position.”

Meanwhile, they also unanimously passed vote of confidence on the leadership of DG BPP, Dr Adedokun.

“We pass a unanimous and resounding vote of confidence in the leadership of Dr. Adebowale Adedokun. Under his stewardship, the BPP has recorded historic achievements that deserve national commendation, including:

“Blocking financial leakages through rigorous due process enforcement; Establishing the Price Intelligence Unit, Procurement Surveillance and Audit Unit, and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; Championing the Nigeria First Policy and Affirmative Procurement;

“Deepening participation of women, youth, and Small and Medium Enterprises in federal contracts; Advancing a contractor classification and rating system set for full rollout by January 2026 – a game-changer that will end the era of awarding multibillion-naira projects to incompetent contractors.”

Also they “Officially and irrevocably cancel the planned rally of Friday, 5th December 2025. All state chapters, zonal coordinators, and partner networks are directed to stand down immediately.

“The CCSO remains irrevocably committed to the fight against corruption wherever it exists. But we are equally committed to truth, fairness, and justice. When evidence shows that a public official is not the problem but part of the solution, it is our duty to acknowledge it publicly and without hesitation. That is what we have done today.

“We urge the media, online platforms, and all Nigerians who helped amplify the false narrative to demonstrate the same courage by retracting their reports and issuing corrections.

“We commend Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and the BPP for their transparency and willingness to be held accountable – qualities that true reformers embody.”

Concerns have been raised over the handling of police operations connected to the ongoing legal dispute involving Nestoil Group and FBNQuest, with critics warning that recent actions by the Lagos State Police Command could undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

It was indicate that court bailiffs who visited the Lagos premises of Nestoil Group on Tuesday morning to serve an order issued by Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia were denied access by armed police officers stationed at the location. The officers were said to have insisted that no court official would be allowed into the building without clearance from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood.

Sources familiar with the case allege that the police deployment contradicts interim orders issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the disputed property, which is claimed by Drawcok Estates Ltd. According to court documents, Drawcok Estates Ltd—represented by senior advocates Kehinde Ogunwumiu, SAN, and Ademola Abimbola, SAN—requested judicial protection over the properties located at 4 Nyasa Close, Maitama, Abuja, and 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In a ruling delivered on 24 November 2025 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia affirmed the applicant’s right to possess the properties and held that their previous sealing by security operatives amounted to an infringement of property rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The judge ordered the respondents—including the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police—to vacate the properties and provide security to enable Drawcok Estates Ltd to regain possession. The court further restrained the respondents from denying the applicant access to the premises or engaging in acts that could constitute harassment.

Despite the court’s pronouncements, stakeholders allege that a significant number of police officers remain attached to Mr. Sulu Gambari, who has described himself as a receiver-manager appointed in a related matter previously handled by Justice Isaac Dipeolu. Critics argue that continued police protection for Gambari contradicts the recent directive by the Federal Government mandating the withdrawal of police escorts from private citizens and VIPs, except under approved circumstances.

Questions have also been raised about the legality of the police presence at the Nestoil Tower property, which Drawcok Estates Ltd claims to have owned since 2012 based on documentation reportedly filed with the Lagos State Land Registry.

Observers note that it previously took several days for the police to comply with an order vacating Gambari’s earlier appointment, raising further concerns about adherence to judicial directives.

As at the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations or provided clarification regarding the deployment of officers to the disputed premises.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has strongly rebutted a story published yesterday by Sahara Reporters accusing its Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, of corruption, reckless spending and running the company aground.

In a detailed rebuttal signed by its Corporate Communications/Media Office and made available to journalists on Sunday, NDPHC described the publication as “a dubious and ill-intended attempt to smear” the person of the MD and mislead Nigerians, noting that Sahara Reporters never contacted the company or Engr. Adighije for comments before publishing the allegations.

The company stated that the report appears to have been sponsored by “vested interests uncomfortable with the courageous leadership and reforms” being implemented under Engr. Adighije to stop leakages, recover stranded revenues, and reposition NDPHC for sustainable growth.

Key points in the rebuttal:

• “Zero Megawatts” claim is false
  NDPHC clarified that adding new generation capacity is not its immediate priority given existing stranded capacity, inadequate grid wheeling capacity, and hundreds of billions owed to the company for energy already delivered. The current focus is on debt recovery, plant optimisation, and operational efficiency — all aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
• ₦900 million “25-year celebration” budget
  The company said no such budget has been approved. What exists is a modest plan for NDPHC’s legitimate 20-year anniversary (established 2005), and even the planning committee is yet to submit a final budget. Presenting an unapproved draft figure as evidence of misconduct was described as “mischievous and speculative”.
• Private jet allegations
  NDPHC confirmed that on very rare occasions, chartered flights have been used only when commercial schedules could not accommodate time-critical official trips across the country’s geopolitical zones. Such trips remain within approved budgets and with Board knowledge. The company noted that Engr. Adighije far more frequently travels long hours by road to inspect assets, a fact conveniently omitted by the report.
• “Expensive media consultants”
  The company explained that it runs a Board-approved television programme and strategic communication initiatives to enlighten Nigerians about NDPHC’s mandate, projects, and eligible customer scheme. All expenditures are transparent, budgeted, and open to oversight.
• Promotion exam manipulation
  NDPHC stated that the ongoing promotion process is merit-based, technology-driven (using CBT), and designed to eliminate favouritism. Results for senior cadre are not yet released, making premature complaints suspicious. The MD, who never worked in NDPHC before her appointment, has no “loyalists” or camps, the statement stressed.
• ₦20 million donation to actress Sarah Martins
  The company clarified that the donation was a private charitable act by Engr. Adighije using contributions from friends (including friends of Mr. Seyi Tinubu) and had nothing to do with NDPHC funds.

NDPHC highlighted over 15 tangible achievements recorded in Engr. Jennifer Adighije’s first year in office, including:
Recovery of 110 abandoned containers worth over $5 million
Restoration of 6 previously dormant gas turbines adding ~750 MW mechanical availability
Recovery of over $10 million in legacy debts
Completion of several injection substations in Borno and Delta states
Unlocking ~500 MW through bilateral PPAs awaiting NERC approval
Securing $15 million insurance claim payout
Introduction of transparent CBT promotion system and staff welfare allowances

The company urged Nigerians to disregard the Sahara Reporters story, called on media houses to uphold balance and fair hearing, and stated that Engr. Adighije reserves the right to seek legal redress against publishers of demonstrably false allegations.

“NDPHC remains committed to transparency and welcomes any objective investigation that is based on facts and records, not anonymous petitions,” the statement concluded