Concerns have been raised over the award of public infrastructure contracts in Cross River State following allegations that a company linked to Senator Agom Jarigbe received hundreds of millions of naira for projects within his senatorial district.
Findings published by civic accountability platform, Tracka Nigeria, indicate that a total sum of ₦637.2 million was allegedly paid between May 2023 and September 2024 to Janjari Company Limited for the construction of solar-powered street lights in Nkum Ekajuk and other communities across the Cross River North Senatorial District.
Senator Jarigbe represents the district at the National Assembly and is also reportedly listed as the project facilitator.
Tracka Nigeria further alleged that Janjari Company Limited is affiliated with the senator. According to corporate records cited in the report, the company has three directors, five shareholders and a company secretary, all of whom reportedly bear the name Agom Jarigbe.
Under the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, public officers are prohibited from using their official positions to influence or secure government contracts for themselves or close associates, in order to prevent conflicts of interest and promote transparency in public procurement.
The development has raised questions over whether due process was followed in the award of the contracts and whether the alleged relationship between the contractor and the serving senator constitutes a conflict of interest.
As at the time of filing this report, neither Senator Agom Jarigbe nor Janjari Company Limited had issued any public response to the allegations.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have called on relevant anti-corruption and regulatory agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, to investigate the matter and clarify whether procurement guidelines were breached.
The agencies have yet to confirm if any formal investigation has been initiated.
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