Police arrest Ekiti AC chieftain over failed contract

Dapo Falade, Ado-Ekiti - 25.07.2008

THE police in Ekiti State have arrested Senator Lawrence Agun-biade, a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who recently defected to the Action Congress (AC), for allegedly abandoning a N20 million contract awarded to him by the state government.

Agunbiade, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, was awarded the contract in April, 2007 during the emergency administration of Major General Tunji Olurin in the state.

Confirming the arrest of the politician, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ola, said the Second Republic senator was arrested following a series of complaints from the state government over his failure to execute the contract.

Stating that Senator Agunbiade had, however, been granted bail, the police boss said the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had commenced what he described as an unfettered investigation into the allegation.

The governor’s spokesman said the arrest was a confirmation of the state government’s unrepentant commitment to the war against the idea of contractors handling public projects with levity.

He said the Governor Segun Oni-led administration had taken a giant leap in this regard by lodging complaints on companies handling failed contracts in the state with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies.

He said the contractors involved would soon be made to account for money collected from the state government to executive certain projects, adding that the case of Senator Agunbiade was a test case.

“Traspa Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract for the construction of a VIP Guest Chalet within the Government House Ground, Ado-Ekiti, at a total cost of N20, 219,613.09 in April, 2007.

“The company was mobilised to the tune of N12, 131,768.25 while the total value of job executed up till now was N3,801,157.50, leaving a balance of N8, 330,611.50.

“The contractor has since abandoned the site despite repeated request from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure,” he said.