An Israeli-linked security company, HSLI Systems and Technology Limited, has come under scrutiny over allegations that it received approximately $180 million from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) between 2018 and 2025, while allegedly evading taxes and transferring funds to offshore accounts.
According to claims circulating in an investigative report, the company, said to be owned by Tal Spektor, has been paid about $22.8 million annually by NIMASA for maritime security services. The payments were reportedly made through a domiciliary account, raising concerns among observers about transparency and compliance with financial regulations.
The report alleges that shortly after receiving the funds, HSLI Systems and Technology Limited transfers significant portions of the money to HSLI International Limited, a related entity based in Mahe, Seychelles. Seychelles is widely regarded as a tax haven, and such transfers have prompted questions about whether the transactions comply with Nigerian tax and financial laws.
The arrangement is said to involve another firm, Talion Systems Limited, which reportedly collaborates with HSLI Systems and Technology Limited in executing the security contracts. Details of the operational relationship between the two companies remain unclear, but insiders claim both entities play a role in the movement of funds abroad.
Sources cited in the report further allege that some senior officials within NIMASA may have benefited from the contract payments. These claims have not been independently verified, but they add to growing concerns about governance and accountability within the maritime agency.
NIMASA, which is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s maritime sector and ensuring safety and security in its waters, has faced criticism in the past over contract awards. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have previously raised concerns about alleged inflated and questionable contracts tied to the agency, particularly in areas related to surveillance and security.
The latest allegations have reignited debate over oversight of public funds and the awarding of high-value contracts in Nigeria’s maritime sector. Civil society groups are reportedly preparing to demand a full investigation into the transactions involving HSLI Systems and Technology Limited, as well as any officials who may have played a role in approving or facilitating the payments.
Activists are also calling for transparency regarding the terms of the security contracts and the processes through which they were awarded. Concerns have been raised about whether due diligence was conducted and whether the contracts provided value for money.
The report indicates that HSLI Systems and Technology Limited is actively seeking a renewal of its contract with NIMASA ahead of 2026. This development has further intensified scrutiny, with critics arguing that any renewal should be put on hold pending the outcome of a thorough investigation.
Neither NIMASA nor representatives of HSLI Systems and Technology Limited have publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting. The absence of official statements has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the structure of the payments and the legality of the offshore transfers.
Financial experts note that while it is not uncommon for international firms to operate across multiple jurisdictions, such arrangements must comply with tax laws and regulatory requirements in all relevant countries. Failure to do so could constitute tax evasion or other financial misconduct.
The situation highlights broader challenges in monitoring cross-border financial flows and ensuring accountability in government contracting. As pressure mounts from lawmakers and civil society groups, attention is expected to focus on whether regulatory agencies will initiate a formal probe into the matter.
For now, the allegations remain unproven, but they have sparked renewed calls for reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and oversight within Nigeria’s maritime administration.
