Contractors who executed projects at the Projects Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu but had their contracts cancelled have dragged ex-chairman of the Governing Board of the Institute, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupts Practices Commission(ICPC) over alleged extortion.
But Onjeh denied ever having any dealing with any contractor, claiming it was a smear campaign to blackmail and silence him from exposing corruption in the agency.
The contractors rejected report of the House Committee that investigated a petition, saying they will be approaching EFCC and ICPC) with the petition.
The committee had said in its report: “The allegation of extortion of money from contractors against Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the Former Chairman of the governing Board of the Project Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu was outside the scope of the committee’s mandate and therefore, advise the complainants to take relevant legal step if necessary”.
But Onjeh, who was asked to step aside as chairman of the Board by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation pending outcome of investigations, insisted only President Muhammadu Buhari can remove him from office
Speaking through their lawyer Barrister Omeoga Chukwu in Abuja, the contractors alleged Onjeh directed them to pay money into one Noel Omale Onjeh’s bank accounts, requesting the money be refunded to them within 48 hours.
Although they put the amount at about N200 million, documents, which they claimed they will be submitting to the anti -graft bodies indicated about N27 million was allegedly paid into the two accounts between 29th June 2018 and 27th December 2019.
While expressing dissatisfaction with the House resolution, Barrister Chukwu said the House failed to reprimand the suspended chairman of PRODA, who he said still parade himself as substantive chairman.
He said: “We have gone to the DSS; we have gone to the supervising ministry to call him to order. Now that he has failed, we have already packaged our petition and the next step we are to take after this press conference, is to submit it to the EFCC and ICPC so that Mr. Onjeh will be investigated. We stand by our words, we stand by our records.”
He maintained all the contracts executed by his clients were awarded after following due process, stressing “BPP went through the process, he awarded those contracts legally.”
But Onjeh said: “I have not had any dealing with any contractor to the best of my knowledge. I am also not aware that my brothers contacted any contractor on my behalf. I have never spoken to any contractor. I don’t have the number of anyone who is alleging. This is ridiculous.
“I don’t know what they are talking about. Is it someone handling contract at the NDDC? I have never had anything to do with any contractor. So I cannot even figure out where this is coming from.
“I hope that you are aware that there have been issues in PRODA and that the DG was suspended. I will not allow anybody to throw mudsling on me.
“We are all aware of these antics. It is all in an attempt to discredit me and scuttle the current drive and determination of PRODA board to expose the under hand dealings of some members of the National Assembly with vested interest in PRODA.”