HEDA seeks EFCC’s investigation into research institute’s ₦683.8m spending in one day

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) over reported expenditure of ₦683.8 million on projects allegedly outside its statutory responsibilities.

The demand followed an investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which reported that the institute made 14 payments to 14 companies on May 10 for projects ranging from solar mini-grids and boreholes to health-centre renovations, polytechnic workshops, streetlights, tricycles and empowerment programmes.

HEDA said the reported transactions raised questions about the use of public funds and whether the projects were consistent with the institute’s mandate.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the organisation urged the EFCC to examine the payments, procurement procedures and circumstances surrounding the contracts to establish whether any financial misconduct occurred.

Among the transactions highlighted in the report was an alleged payment of ₦104.5 million to Shamal Construction Limited for solar mini-grids in Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency, Borno State.

Another ₦99.1 million was reportedly paid to Tripplehech Resources Limited for agricultural capacity-building training in the same constituency, while Scelta Construction Limited allegedly received ₦78.2 million for solar mini-grid projects.

The report also listed an alleged payment of ₦53.8 million to Shafana Enterprises as a 30 per cent mobilisation fee for a farmers’ market project in Benue State. Ajagba Nigeria Limited was reportedly paid ₦52.2 million for a solar mini-grid project in Yobe State.

According to FIJ, the projects covered constituencies across Borno, Benue, Yobe, Kwara and Niger states.

HEDA questioned the apparent gap between the projects and NSPRI’s core responsibilities, which include research into the post-harvest handling of agricultural produce, developing relevant equipment and sharing research findings with farmers, produce handlers, industrialists and inspectors.

The organisation said an independent investigation was necessary to determine whether the spending complied with procurement rules and applicable financial regulations.

It urged the EFCC to establish whether the transactions involved financial impropriety or abuse of public office and to pursue appropriate legal action if wrongdoing was proven.

HEDA also called on relevant oversight authorities to scrutinise the institute’s expenditure and procurement records, insisting that public resources allocated to research institutions should be used transparently and for their intended purposes.

The organisation further urged authorities to make the findings of any investigation public, subject to applicable legal requirements.

The allegations have not, by themselves, established that NSPRI or the companies involved committed any offence.