Fresh controversy has erupted within the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) as an Abuja-based lawyer, Barr. Fatai Amokeoja, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for an immediate investigation into alleged procurement fraud in the agency.
A copy of the petition, made available to journalists on Tuesday, was also forwarded to the Presidency and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
In the petition, Amokeoja accused the BPP of corruption, abuse of office and consistent violations of the Public Service Rules. He insisted that President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies must act swiftly to restore integrity to the procurement regulatory body.
He alleged that a minister compromised the agency under its Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, through the supply of a bulletproof vehicle purportedly used to circumvent procurement laws — a development he said undermines due process and threatens the nation’s anti-corruption efforts.
The lawyer also demanded that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) release all documents relating to the procurement and allocation of the bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser. These include budget approvals, tender records, due-process certificates, payment documents and allocation registers.
He warned that without transparency on the vehicle’s procurement trail, public confidence in government institutions would continue to erode.
Amokeoja stated that the allegations are weighty and allegedly backed by direct statements attributed to the BPP Director-General. He described them as issues bordering on corruption, influence peddling and misuse of public funds, stressing that an immediate probe is necessary under the Renewed Hope Agenda to safeguard public trust.
He further urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to compel the BPP DG to declare his assets in line with the law and to make known the date of his last declaration, to determine whether any breach of the Public Service Rules has occurred.
According to him, failure to thoroughly investigate these concerns could weaken ongoing anti-corruption reforms and diminish the credibility of public administration.
Amokeoja also called on the EFCC to investigate all financial transactions linked to the procurement, including any suspected unlawful enrichment or diversion of public funds. He urged the ICPC to examine alleged abuses of power within the agency, and asked the CCB to verify all asset declarations submitted by the DG and his household.
He further appealed to the Presidency to ascertain whether any presidential aide had prior knowledge of or involvement in the vehicle’s allocation, in order to safeguard the integrity of the highest office.
Reacting to the petition, BPP spokesperson Zira Nagga dismissed the allegations as unfounded, noting that the agency had already issued a statement debunking them.
“They have invited them now. We have even sent out a release to debunk the allegations. The contractors mentioned have also published a newspaper notice, and they said they will take those who published the claims to court. Everything is under control, and the allegations are false,” he said.
The Bureau of Public Procurement, established under the Public Procurement Act 2007, oversees and regulates procurement processes across federal ministries, departments and agencies.