BUSTED/ Adamawa Deputy Governor, Seth In Over N100Million Contract Scandal, Threatens Lawyer For Demanding N8Million Professional Fee

Seth’s company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was allegedly awarded multiple contracts by the Adamawa State government between 2019 and 2020.

Adamawa State deputy governor, Crowther Seth, has been enmeshed in multiple contract scandals amounting to over N100 million.

In Nigeria, it is against the law for public officials to get involved in public procurement of any kind.

Sections 5 and 6 of the code of conduct prohibits the government from awarding contracts to companies belonging to government officials to check conflict of interests

The deputy governor was also reported to have allegedly threatened a lawyer, Danbaba Rigange, for demanding N8 million professional fee.

Seth’s company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was allegedly awarded multiple contracts by the Adamawa State government between 2019 and 2020.

Documents seen by TrackNews Online show Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was awarded four different contracts from 2019 to 2020, by the Ahmadu Fintiri-led administration.

The breakdown of the awards by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs indicates that Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited got two separate contracts for Christmas decorations in 2019 and 2020, costing the state a total of N85.9 million.

Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited was also awarded contracts for the electrification of Hadiyo village at the cost of N30 million and provision of an electricity transformer at Lafiya at the cost of N18 million, both in the Lamurde local government area by the same Local Government Ministry.

Trouble started when Seth allegedly refused to pay the 10 percent legal/documentation fees, agreed upon between Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited and a lawyer, Danbaba Rigange.

Accordingly, Rigange told TrackNews Online that he was not only heading to court against the deputy governor but will also petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security operatives.

Further to that, Ifegwu Mbonu, a law firm, wrote Seth, demanding payment for professional services rendered in connection to the said contracts.

A copy of the letter obtained by TrackNews Online reads “that at different times in the years 2019 and 2020 you instructed him (Rigange) to act as Secretary of your company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited.

“Which company you are the alter ego for the purposes of contracts awarded to your said company, Yepwa-Multi Ventures Limited by the Ministry for Local Government Affairs of Adamawa State, for Christmas decorations, beautifications, etc.

“That our client drafted and franked the contract agreement and equally signed as the Secretary of your said company and it was agreed that our client will receive 10 percent of the contract sum as his professional fees.

“That so far, you have only paid our client the sum of N150,000, leaving a balance of N7.850 million.

“It is, therefore, our client’s instruction to write you this letter to demand the payment of the sum of N7.850 million, being the amount you presently owe our client for services duly rendered for your benefit.

“Take notice that if our demand is not complied with within the period stipulated in this letter, we shall proceed to take all necessary actions we deem appropriate to ensure that our client receives the said money, including but not limited to petitioning the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) and the DSS (Department of State Services).”