IGP Invites PS, Fed Min of Industry, Trade and Investment, Two Others for Interrogation

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali-Baba, has invited the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, and two other top officials in the Ministry, for questioning.

The Police said the invitation was a follow-up in the ongoing investigation into a case of alleged criminal conversion of Property, Misappropriation and Breach of Trust against Phantom Digital Technologies Services Limited, as well as an alleged breach of the Public Procurement Act by Dr Evelyn Ngige.

The invitation, according to THE WILL, was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Minister, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.

It would be recalled that the Minister had petitioned the Inspector General of Police over a contract for the supply of 14 vehicles undertaken by Phantom Digital Technologies Services Limited.

While the investigation is ongoing in the case, a letter dated April 26, 2023, and signed by the Head, IGP Monitoring Unit, ACP Ibrahim M. Musa, urged the Minister to release the Permanent Secretary, Director, Legal Services and Director General Services in the Ministry for interview.

The sighted letter reads: “I respectfully refer to the Honourable Minister’s letter referenced T/FAL/1020/03/2021/GS/1/77 dated 28th March 2023.

“The Honourable Minister would recall that a case of Criminal Conversion of Property, Criminal Misappropriation and Breach of Trust was reported to the Inspector-General of Police by your Ministry through written petitions referenced T/FAL/23012/S.30123/53 and T/FAL/23012/S.30123/54 all dated 9th September, 2022, against Uchola Emmanuel Ina and Abubakar Dangaladima respectively.

“That while investigation progressed, Phantom Digital Technologies Services Limited also wrote a counter-petition dated 25th November, 2022, to the Inspector General of Police alleging the contravention of the Public Procurement Act, against Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Inspector General of Police directed same for investigation;

“In view of the above, and in furtherance of your request in the above-quoted letter under reference, you are kindly requested to release the Permanent Secretary, Director Legal Services and Director General Services to interview the undersigned through CSP Usman Garba, on 02/05/2023 by 1000hrs to shed more light on the allegations alongside:

“I. Request as contained in Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), letter referenced BPP/S.I/CCM/23/Vol.I/232  and dated March 08, 2023,

“ii. Copy of Memo T/FAL/23614/S.3042/1/30 dated 31st December, 2022;

“iii.The Stock Verification officer that received the vehicles

“While anticipating your usual cooperation, accept the warm regards of the Inspector General of Police, please.”