An investigation has alleged that the Nigerian Correctional Service made 208 payments totalling ₦5.38 billion to companies with no traceable Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records or businesses listed as inactive between October 2023 and April 2025, According to SecretReporters.
Allegedly ₦4.05 billion was paid through 179 transactions during the tenure of former Controller-General Haliru Nababa, covering prison food supplies, uniforms, footwear and the construction of custodial facilities.
The report identified Mosco Soa Nig. Ltd as the largest beneficiary, allegedly receiving over ₦1.25 billion in 20 payments despite returning no record on the CAC portal. One of the payments, valued at ₦83.28 million, was reportedly for constructing a 96-bed cell block at Obubra Custodial Centre.
Other companies named include Amib Rafindadi and Sons Nig. Ltd, Baggio Brothers and Company, K3G Nigeria Enterprises Ilorin and Blue Trust Construction Ltd. The publication alleged that these firms received hundreds of millions of naira despite having inactive registration status or no identifiable record on the CAC portal.
The investigation further reported that 43 payments were linked to outstanding liabilities or shortfalls from 2022, which were settled in 2023 and 2024.
Payments to the companies allegedly continued after Sylvester Nwakuche took over as Controller-General on December 15, 2024. Between that date and the end of April 2025, the firms reportedly received an additional ₦1.34 billion through 29 transactions.
The report raised questions about compliance with public procurement regulations, noting that Section 16 of Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act 2007 outlines eligibility requirements for companies seeking federal government contracts, including registration with the CAC.
Nababa, who was appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, retired on the same day Nwakuche assumed office.
They stated that it contacted the Nigerian Correctional Service for its response to the reported transactions, but the agency had not issued an official position before publication.
The allegations have raised concerns about transparency, procurement procedures and the management of public funds within Nigeria’s correctional system. The reported findings have yet to be accompanied by an official response from the Service.