By Gideon Njoku
A citizen of neighbouring Niger Republic, has duped Nigeria of an unbelievable obscene amount of money. It runs into Trillions of Naira.
Here’s how much it is alleged that is involved, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
* $394 million.
*€9.9 million.
*N369 million.
His name is Aboubakar Hima.
The EFCC has declared him wanted.
According to the EFCC, in an advert declaring him wanted, and signed by the Commission’s Ag. Head, Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade, Hima “is wanted in a case of criminal conspiracy, contract scam, misappropriation of public funds, money laundering to the tune of $394million, €9.9million, and, N369 million.”
Hima, the Chief Executive Officer of Societe D’Equipment Internationaux, SEI, received the monies to supply military equipment to the Nigeria’s Military.
He didn’t quite deliver. Perhaps, he under-delivered, or cut corners.
Said the EFCC: “He is alleged to have received the sums for the purchase of equipment for the Nigerian Military. However, investigations have revealed discrepancies in the supply of the equipment.”
Invitations to him by the EFCC have brazenly been ignored by Hima. He had to be declared wanted. “Having failed to honour invitations from the Commission, Hima is, currently, evading investigation, thus the need to declare him wanted,” the EFCC said.
The EFCC did not state when he got the contract, or how he got it, or from whom, but the Commission, had on July 23, 2020, secured the forfeiture of N46m, and five houses, belonging to him, and his company, to the Federal Government.
He is aged 46 years, and speaks both Hausa and, not very proficiently, English language.
