N45 MILLION CONTRACT SCAM: Abraye Exposes How Jude Gbaboyor Defrauded Bayelsa Clergyman Pastor Richard Musi Of N45 Million, Demands Urgent Arrest, Investigation And Prosecution Of Gbaboyor -

By Ebiowei Gabriel

By Comrade Freeborn Abraye, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ)

The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ), Comrade Freeborn Abraye, has called for an urgent and impartial investigation into allegations concerning Mr. Jude Gbaboyor and a reported ₦45 million payment made by Pastor Richard Musi of Egbema Angalabiri in Bayelsa State in connection with purported Presidential Amnesty Programme contracts.

According to information and documents made available to NDAPDEJ, Pastor Musi paid ₦45 million to Mr. Gbaboyor after being assured that he would receive a contract connected to the deployment of students under the Presidential Amnesty Programme scholarship scheme to universities across Nigeria.

Abraye revealed that the money was transferred to a personal bank account belonging to Jude Gbaboyor, rather than through an official government contracting process.

“A MAN SOLD HIS PROPERTIES AND BORROWED MONEY TO RAISE ₦45 MILLION”

Abraye said the account presented to him raises serious questions because, according to the information he received, Pastor Richard Musi sold properties and obtained loans from several cooperative societies in order to raise the money he was asked to provide.

“If a Nigerian citizen truly parted with ₦45 million on the strength of a promise of a fake government contract, that allegation cannot simply be ignored. The appropriate authorities must establish exactly what happened, who received the money, what the money was for, whether any contract existed, and whether any official of government was involved.”

Abraye further revealed that after months passed without the promised contract materialising, Pastor Musi repeatedly demanded either delivery of the contract as promised by Jude Gbaboyor or repayment of the N45 million paid to Gbaboyor.

According to Abraye, the businessman was unable to obtain either of the two and eventually lost communication with Gbaboyor.

SECOND CONTRACT ALLEGATION

Abraye also revealed that, after a period of communication breakdown, Jude Gbaboyor subsequently contacted Pastor Richard Musi again and apologised for the failure of the first contract arrangement.

However, Abraye claims that Musi was subsequently presented with another purported opportunity involving a contract to train 1,200 delegates of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in welding and fabrication.

According to Abraye, Musi was instructed to establish a properly equipped welding workshop and register a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in preparation for the supposed contract.

Abraye stated that Musi followed those instructions giventohim by Jude, and established a welding workshop at Omok in Rivers State, registered a company with the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC ) and prepared a proposal which he said was submitted to the Presidential Amnesty Programme office through Gbaboyor. Atleast that was what Jude Gbaboyor made Pastor Richard believe.
And according to Abraye, the second contract also never materialised.

“WHO AUTHORIZED THESE CONTRACT PROMISES?” — ABRAYE

Abraye said one of the central questions that must be answered by an investigation is whether Jude Gbaboyor had any lawful authority to promise, facilitate or award government contracts while serving as a staff member of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

“The public deserves to know: What official authority did Jude Gbaboyor possess at the time? Was he authorized to award or facilitate contracts? Was there actually a contract for the deployment of scholarship students? Was there actually a proposed training programme for 1,200 beneficiaries? Who prepared the list of beneficiaries? Who received the ₦45 million? And into whose account was the money paid?”.

“These are straightforward questions that should not be answered with propaganda, intimidation or political arguments. They should be answered with documents and an independent investigation.”

ABRAYE: “I HAVE DOCUMENTS — LET THE AUTHORITIES EXAMINE THEM”

Abraye said he possesses documents and materials which, according to him, relate to the allegations, including:

Documents connected to the purported contract arrangements;
The proposal allegedly prepared and submitted by Pastor Musi;
The transaction record showing the ₦45 million transfer;
Documents relating to the company registered for the proposed training contract;
Materials concerning the proposed training of 1,200 ex-agitators/beneficiaries;
Photographs and documents relating to the welding workshop established in Omok, Rivers State; and
Other materials which Abraye says may assist investigators in establishing what actually occurred.

Abraye stressed that he is prepared to submit the materials to appropriate investigative authorities if formally requested.

“I am not asking anybody to convict Jude Gbaboyor on the basis of a press statement. I am asking for the evidence to be examined. Let the bank records be checked. Let the documents be authenticated. Let the communications be examined. Let the relevant government records be opened. Let the parties be interviewed. Let the truth come out.”

“NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE ACCOUNTABILITY”

The NDAPDEJ National Coordinator said the matter is particularly serious because allegations involving government programmes and vulnerable citizens can damage public confidence in intervention programmes designed to benefit Niger Delta people.

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme belongs to the Federal Government and ultimately to the people. Nobody should turn access to a government intervention programme into a private marketplace where desperate citizens pay huge sums for promises of contracts.”

“If these allegations are false, the investigation will establish that and clear the accused. If the evidence establishes wrongdoing, then the law should take its course. That is the essence of accountability.”

Abraye also challenged the relevant authorities to determine whether any official records exist supporting the contracts and whether the payment had any legitimate connection with government business.

“₦45 MILLION IS NOT A SMALL MATTER”

Abraye said the amount involved is substantial enough to warrant serious scrutiny.

“₦45 million represents the life savings, assets, borrowed funds and economic future of an individual. A citizen who sold properties and borrowed from cooperatives to raise such an amount deserves to know exactly what happened to his money.”

“This is not about political persecution. It is about establishing facts. It is not about vengeance. It is about accountability. And it is not about convicting anyone through the media. It is about ensuring that the appropriate institutions investigate the evidence and determine the truth.”

NDAPDEJ DEMANDS TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION

NDAPDEJ therefore calls for the relevant authorities to examine:

The ₦45 million transaction and the destination of the funds;
The contract promise concerning university scholarship beneficiaries;
Whether any official Presidential Amnesty Programme procurement process corresponded with the contract;
The authority, if any, possessed by Jude Gbaboyor to make such contractual representations;
The proposal for training 1,200 ex-agitators in welding and fabrication;
The list of 1,200 beneficiaries;
The company and welding workshop established by Pastor Richard Musi;
Relevant correspondence, applications and official records; and
Any other evidence capable of establishing the facts.

Abraye concluded:

“Let nobody mistake our demand for investigation as a declaration of guilt. The facts must be established by competent authorities. But equally, let nobody imagine that allegations involving tens of millions of naira can simply be buried or swept under the carpet.”

“I have stated publicly that I have documentary evidence relating to this matter, and I am prepared to make it available to the appropriate authorities. If there is nothing to hide, an investigation should be welcomed. If there is wrongdoing, the Nigerian people deserve accountability.”

Signed:
Comrade Freeborn Abraye
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ).