Bashir Bello Ibrahim, the former CEO of Formal Act Legacy Limited and a one-time contractor with the Kaduna State Government, has been arrested by the EFCC over a N30 billion fraud scandal involving fake project contracts and misrepresentation of government partnerships.
The EFCC disclosed that Ibrahim continued to pose as a government-endorsed consultant after his contract was annulled.
He claimed to work with the 23 LGAs and to be affiliated with the United Charity Foundation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, allegedly using these claims to deceive individuals and businesses.
While he did have a state-approved MoU in 2020 to secure international development grants, EFCC officials said it was revoked in 2023 due to violations of its terms.
Nevertheless, Ibrahim is accused of continuing to issue non-existent contracts, requesting contractors to deliver items like hospital equipment and vaccines under false pretenses.
EFCC investigators allege that instead of directing the supplies to the appropriate local government authorities, the suspect warehoused them, sometimes sold the items, and pocketed the proceeds.
“He operated in secrecy and manipulated contract documents using proxies,” an investigator said.
Authorities recovered a range of goods from his premises, including vehicles, ambulances, hospital furniture, and substantial quantities of medical supplies.
The medicines found included tablets, syrups, creams, and consumables like gloves and syringes.
Following inspections, Umar Ahmad Suleiman of NAFDAC remarked, “While a portion of the drugs were valid and registered, some had expired and others were outright fakes.”
Pharmacist Abubakar Isa Balarabe emphasized, “The storage space was completely unsuitable for medicine; it lacked the necessary conditions for preservation.”
The EFCC noted that prosecution will commence once the investigative process is complete.