… Faults Sahara Reporters’ publication against the IGP.
The Integrity Youth Alliance has rejected the Sahara Reporters’ publication criticising IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police.
Arising from its National Executive Council on Thursday in Abuja, the Alliance in a communique signed by the National Coordinator, Kelvin Adegbenga and National Publicity Director, Danjuma Lamido, said it has taken note of the three publication of Sahara Reporters within 24 hours namely; “EXCLUSIVE: How Nigeria’s Police Chief Egbetokun Ignored Finance Director’s Warning On Splitting ₦6Billion Uniform Contract Into 66 Parts | Sahara Reporters; “EXCLUSIVE: Police IG Egbetokun Awards N6Billion Uniform Contract Split Into 66 Parts To ‘Inactive’ Firm With No BPP Tax Record and “EXCLUSIVE: Police IG Egbetokun Splits N6Billion Uniform Deal Into 66 Contracts To Bypass Procurement Law, Awards All To Firm Linked To Him”
The communique came up with the following resolutions:
1. The documents published by Sahara Reporters were fabricated, and there is no evidence that IGP Kayode Egbetokun sidestepped statutory procedures by deliberately splitting the contract into 66 parts to bypass procurement regulations.
2. There are no documents showing that IGP Kayode Egbetokun “overruled the concerns raised by the Director of Finance and Accounts.”
3. From the first publication, all we saw was the name and signature of one Assistant Inspector General, AIG Adepoju A. Ilori (PAB).
4. Sahara Reporters’ allegations that the Crown Natures Nigeria Plc is an “inactive” firm and lacks the appropriate Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and tax records are false.
5. Crown Natures Nigeria was registered in March 2006 and began operation in October same year. Its line of business is textile and garment-related manufacturing, while its products include uniforms (security, industrial, and school), T-shirts, men’s boxers, shirts, sportswear, mosquito nets, PPEs, and medical scrubs, while its factory is located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
6. Crown Natures Nigeria is registered with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and has compliance certificates from the National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and a valid tax clearance certificate.
7. In line with the “Nigeria First” policy, which focuses on boosting domestic production, empowering local industries, and reducing reliance on imports, Crown Natures Nigeria is qualified for the contract of uniform procurement and has added advantages due to its quality production of uniforms (security and industrial).
8. Crown Natures Nigeria Plc’s complete compliance with all legal requirements is confirmed by verified records from pertinent regulatory organisations, such as the external auditor and the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The NEC urged Nigerians to be wary of false information spread by Sahara Reporters and its backers to damage IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s stellar reputation and undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
