News
How Contractor Refunded N30.6m Double Payment By Humanitarian Ministry
Details have emerged of how a long-term Federal Government contractor, James Okwete, refunded the sum of N30,604,651.16 to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs after receiving double payment for a completed contract under former Minister, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
Documents exclusively obtained by our correspondent revealed that the payment was part of a N35 million contract for the “Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).”
The contract was awarded to Mr Okwete through his company, Adatech Integrated Services Limited on December 29, 2020, and announced on January 4, 2021, under the N-Power programme of the National Social Investment Programme in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
The procurement was signed by the Director of Procurement, Shittu F.O, for Umar-Farouq.
Part of the materials procured were: a manual content development to develop a training manual for the N-Tech Hardware track worth N5,950,000 and the printing of a training manual for N-Knowledge (hardware track) worth a total of N26,608,139.54.
A total of N32,558,139.54 plus Value Added Tax at 7.5 per cent worth N2,441,860.47, making a grand total of N35,000,000.00.
However, in a letter dated April 27, 2021, the National Social Investment Programme, wrote the Managing Director, Adatech Integrated Services Limited, informing him of the wrongful double payment of N30,607,651.16 in respect of the Design and Development of N-Knowledge Training Manuals for N-Hardware Beneficiaries North-Central (Lot B17).
The letter was signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts (NSIP), Adaramoye Joseph, for the Minister.
The document read, “The Managing Director, Adatech Integrated Services Ltd. Suite B, Block C. Commerce Plaza Bhd Old secretariat Area 1. Abuja
“Reference the above subject, please. It was discovered that your company was wrongly paid twice in respect of the above contract to the tune of Thirty million, six hundred and four thousand, six hundred and fifty one Naira, sixteen kobo (N30,604,651.16) only. The amount was double paid into your Bank details below Bank: First Bank of Nigeria plc. Account No: 2021481488
“You should please refund the sum of N30,604,651.16 to Account Name: National Social Investment Programme Remitta- RRR GIFMIS CODE-0544003001, NARRATION- Refund of Payment.”
Responding to the request in a letter dated June 23, 2021, Mr Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Ltd, wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, acknowledging receipt of the letter and intention to refund the money.
The document read, “We write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated April 27, 2021, and to reassure you of our intention to refund and correct the transaction error from your end.
“The sum of N30,604,651.16 was actually received into our account in double credit entry through our First Bank account. However, our Director is not in the country at the moment, he is yet to return from his trip. We assure you by this memo that we will arrange for this payment refund as soon as he arrives in the country in no distant time.
Meanwhile, a Remita payment document with serial number 1105-5500-0255, which was exclusively obtained by our correspondent, further revealed that on October 13, 2021, Mr Okwete’s Adatech Integrated Services Ltd, refunded the total sum of N30,604,812.41 to the National Social Investment Programme, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
A copy of the company’s bank statement highlighting the refund transaction was also obtained by Sunday PUNCH.
Confirming the refund in another letter, Adatech Integrated Services, in a letter signed by the company’s Manager, Obi Stanley, noted that it attached the refund confirmation and a copy of the refund evidence.
The document reads, “Director, Finance and Accounts, National Social Investment Programme, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
“We write to inform you that we have identified and rectified an error regarding the double payments made by your ministry to our company. We are pleased to inform you that we have processed the refund for the duplicate payment, and the amount has been credited to your account on October 31, 2021.
“We deeply apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and assure you that it was not our intention to receive duplicate payments. As soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate action to investigate, resolve, and refund the overpayment
“We have attached the following documents for your reference: 1. Award letter with file no: FMHADMSD/PROC/01063/Vol.1/III. 2. Refund Confirmation: A copy of the refund evidence. 3. Bank Statement: A copy of our bank statement highlighting the refund transaction.
“We kindly request a form of confirmation/clarification from the ministry as evidence that the refund has indeed been received. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with your ministry.”
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Crimes Commission for alleged cases of money laundering.
The major public officials that have been indicted by the anti-graft commission include former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, suspended Minister, Beta Edu, and suspended former Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme, Halima Shehu.
While Umar-Farouq is being proven for alleged misappropriation of N37bn, Edu is under probe for alleged N17.5bn fraud, while Shehu is being investigated for alleged laundering of N44bn, all under the same ministry.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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