FRAUD! FORMER UNILAG VC ACCUSED OF 30 CONTRACT SCAMS

Former UNILAG VC, Professor Ogundipe appeared to be in more troubles as another Professor has dragged him to EFCC over fraudulent contracts.

A professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and former member of the University of Lagos Governing Council, Boniface Oye-Adeniran, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged acts of financial crime directly committed by the former vice chancellor of the institution, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe , the Acting VC, Prof Folashade Ogunsola, Bursar, Mr Lekan Lawal and the Director of Procurement, Dr James Akamu, TheConscience gathers.

Oye-Adeniran in the petition, dated August 21, listed over 30 contracts allegedly awarded without satisfying the requirements of the Public Procurement Act as well as other financial infractions against the former UNILAG VC and the management team.

In the petition, Oye-Adeniran said, “I retired as a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos in 2019 and up until my retirement, I worked with Ogundipe first in his capacity as Deputy Vice Chancellor, and as Vice Chancellor of the University, from November 2017 up till July 2019.”

He added that he also represented the College of Medicine on the University’s Appointments and Promotions Board between 2014 and 2018 and was a former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association.

According to him, the facts provided in the petition are facts directly within his knowledge in his capacity as staff, Appointments and Promotions Board and as Governing Council member of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2019.

He explained that the Council at its meeting of 5th September 2018 constituted a Committee to investigate the University’s expenditure under Ogundipe and found out that the former VC approved a total sum of N112, 462,990.63 to renovate the official living quarters of three principal staff; N49,434,038.45 to renovate the Vice Chancellor’s lodge where he resided; the sum of N41,817,658.32 was paid out for renovation works of the Bursar’s official residence; the sum of N16, 123, 509.00 was spent on renovating the official residence of the immediate past Registrar of the University; N3, 733,494.85 to renovate the official residence of the Chancellor while the sum of N1,354,290.00 was spent renovating the Pro Chancellor’s official residence.

He said the former UNILAG VC spent this money which was far in excess of his approval limit of N2.500,000 without the knowledge of the council and the Tender Board, Finance and General Purpose Committee.

He said, “Professor Toyin Ogundipe’s management spent a total sum of N57,272,050.44 on waste management and janitorial services in breach of procurement laws and practices; spent the sum of N52,080,000.00 on the purchase of two vehicles well above his personal limit of N2,500,000.00 and the University Tender Board’s threshold limit of N50,000,000.00. This was achieved by a contract splitting device that is illegal and contrary to the Public Procurement Act of 2007.

“Professor Toyin Ogundipe’s management spent a total sum of N57,921,581.00 on the foreign trips embarked upon by himself and some of his management team. The Committee found that Professor Ogundipe was able to approve these payments based on an illegal contract splitting device. The Committee also found that local running allowances were paid for these foreign trips in breach of the Financial Regulations of 2009 and clarifications by National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in 2015.

“Between May 2017 and September 2018 Professor Toyin Ogundipe’s management paid out a total sum of N41,580,300.00 to the Dean of Student Affairs through a monthly payment of N2,445,900.00. Even though Professor Ogundipe justified this payment as a security grant, this was never to the University Council’s knowledge or its approval and the Dean received these monies even when students were not on campus or when lecturers were on strike.

“Furthermore, the former Dean of Students Affairs who served in this position before Professor Ogundipe became Vice Chancellor wrote officially to the Council, denying that this was conventional practice, a justification that Professor Ogundipe had put up to Council.

“Council approved a budget in the sum of N85,000,000.00 for the University’s 2018 convocation ceremonies based on management’s budget, proposed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Toyin Ogundipe. The Committee found out that Professor Ogundipe’s management significantly exceeded this approved budget by the sum of N9,739,977.89.

“In other words, without any Council approval or knowledge, Professor Ogundipe spent the sum of N94,739,977.89 on the 2018 convocation as against the sum of N85,000,0000.00 that Council approved. We believe that this was a fraudulent act.”

Oye-Adeniran further alleged that Professors Ogundipe and Folashade Ogunshola were part of the award of the contract for the University’s new library project valued at N1.9bn that did not follow due process in changing the terms of the contract awarded without the approval of the Council and without the approval of the Federal Executive Council that approved the contract in the first place, ultimately causing the collapse of this building in 2019 while under construction.

He added, “Furthermore, the University’s Management under Prof Toyin Ogundipe awarded significant contracts, or paid or caused/instructed payment for these contracts, without bringing these to the attention of, or obtaining approval of the University Tender’s Board, Finance and General Purpose Committee or Council, as provided for in the University Financial Regulations and contrary to due process.”

The petitioner alleged that Tetfund projects were executed and paid for without due process contrary to the University Financial Regulations of 2016.

“ Professor Toyin Ogundipe, then UNILAG VC exceeded his expenditure limits and approval and these projects were done and paid for without the University’s Tenders Board, Finance and General Purpose Committee, and Governing Council approval. In addition, these contract awards violated the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the University of Lagos Financial Regulations of 2016,” he said.

Other projects mentioned include Construction of Scholars’ Hostel (Block A) along Ozolua road by Bauer TSM Nigeria Limited. The petition alleged that the N242,780,465.52 contract project was awarded in 2017 and paid for in 2020 without going through the University’s Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval and in violation of the University Financial Regulations.

Similarly, he said a N233,683,294.30 contract for the construction of Scholars’ Hostel (Block B) along Ozolua road by ENERGOPOL-7 S.A. MOSAF Nig Ltd was awarded in 2017 and paid for in 2020 without University’s Finance and General Purpose and Council approval in violation of the University Financial Regulations.

Another contract of N181,675,487.00 for the construction of Scholars’ Hostel (Access road) along Ozolua road By THCM NIGERIA LIMITED was said to be awarded in 2017 and paid for in 2020 without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the University Financial Regulations, he said.

Also, he said a N124,440,192.19 contract for the Construction of Scholars’ Hostel (External Civil Works) along Ozolua road by MOSAF PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT was paid for in 2020 without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval in violation of the University Financial Regulations.

He also listed the “Construction of Scholars’ Hostel (Loose Furniture and Fittings) by ENERGOPOL-7 S.A. MOSAF Nig Lt N100,112,544.00. Contract paid for in 2020 as part of contracts awarded without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval and in violation of the University Financial Regulations.

He said, “Contract for the additional work for the supply of loose Furniture & Fixtures for Scholars’ Hostel was done by MOSAF Nig Ltd at N24,589,738.16. Letter of award was issued in March 2020 without Tender Board approval, Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the University Financial Regulations of 2016. There was no valid contract to support this project.

“Consultancy services for the construction of the Scholars’ hostel along Ozolua road by UNILAG CONSULT at N63,149,462.00. Payment for this contract was made in 2017 and paid for in 2020 without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval in violation of the University Financial Regulations.

“Contract for the Procurement of Library furniture to the University Lot 3 by Publisher Express Limited N5,066,250.00. Project was paid for in 2019 without Tender Board approval, Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval and in violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the University Financial Regulations of 2016.

Find below other contracts as listed in the petition:

University Capital Projects – AUXILIARY (IGR) PROJECTS (Construction of Buildings)

The following IGR projects were executed and paid for without ANY due process contrary to the University Financial Regulations and the Public Procurement Act. Professor Ogundipe has exceeded his expenditure and approval limits in the award and payment of these contracts without Finance and General Purpose and Council approval.

S/No Projects Contract Award Remarks

1 Construction of the School of Foundation Studies-Phase 1 by Arid Builders N165,040,785.00 Letter of award was issued without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. The Contract was terminated and a compensation of the sum of N4.6Million was paid to the Contractor in 2020 without Council approval. This is a violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the University Financial Regulations of 2016.

2 Contract for the Supply and Installation of Polyurethane Sandwich panels for the Institute of Maritime Studies Prefab Building by Vitapur Nigeria Limited N10,008,128.29 Contract was awarded in March 2019 with no Tender Board approval, Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the Procurement Act and University Financial Regulations.

3 Contract for the Modification of Renovation Works at the University of Lagos Medical Centre by Fastlink Nigeria Limited 45,723,353.70 The Contract was approved by Professor Ogundipe without letter of award, Tender Board approval, without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the Procurement Act and University Financial Regulations.

4 Contract for the Rehabilitation of Faculty of Engineering Roof (Lot 1) by Trapetti Engineering & Construction Company Ltd 9,411,786.25 Contract awarded without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the University Financial Regulations.

5 Contract for the Renovation of University of Lagos Liaison Office/Guest House at 33/35, 6th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja

Contractor by Unilag Consult/Donmat Nig Ltd

“N72,466,605.75 Project was reported as completed in 2018 and paid for in 2020 without Finance and General Purpose Committee and Council. This is a violation of the University Financial Regulations

University Capital Projects – AUXILIARY (IGR) PROJECTS (Procurement of Vehicles)

The following IGR projects were executed and paid for without due process contrary to the University Financial Regulations of 2016. Professor Ogundipe has exceeded his expenditure and approval limits in the award and payment of these contracts without Finance and General Purpose and Council approval.

S/No Projects Contract Award Remarks

1 Procurement of Vehicle (Hyundai Elantra GLS 2018 Model) for the University – Lot 4 supplied by Kojo Motors Limited N11,385,000.00. Professor Ogundipe exceeded his expenditure and approval limits in the award and payment of these contracts without Finance and General Purpose and Council approval

2 Payment Peugeot Allure Luxury-Centre 1.6 Saloon cars for the occupier of UBA professional chair of the Unilag supplied by R T. Briscoe (Nig) Ltd

3 Supply of one (1) Toyota Avensis 2.0 AT with leather seat salon car for recently appointed member of Management of the University : N26,040,000.00

University Capital Projects – AUXILIARY (IGR) PROJECTS (Procurement of Furnishing items & Equipment)

S/No Projects Contract Award Remarks

1 Procurement of external electrical power back –up system the MTN E-library at Akintunde Ojo building by Myne Maxima Treasures 4,247,640.00 The project has no letter of award and Project was reported as completed in Nov. 2018 .There is no Tender Board approval, Finance and General Committee and Council approval. This is a violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007 and the University Financial Regulations of 2016

2 Contract for the Supply and Installation of Underground Cable and feeder pillar at Sport Centre powered by the 1,400KVA Cummins generator at Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall by DRS Cable Nigeria Ltd N4,274,173.13 Contract completed and paid for in 2020 without Tender Board, Finance and General Committee and Council approval F&GPC and Council approval. This is a violation of the University Financial Regulations.

University Capital Projects – AUXILIARY (IGR) PROJECTS (Procurement of Fuels)