An audit by the Auditor General has revealed that the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office awarded N57.48m worth of irregular contracts in 2022 and failed to respond to audit queries or provide required documentation.
The 2022 audit report by the Office of the Auditor General has flagged the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office for awarding N57,484,515.30 in questionable contracts without evidence of competitive bidding, proper certifications, or the required “Certificate of No Objection,” and noted that the office repeatedly refused to respond to audit queries.
The report highlighted that eight contracts including those for cameras, IGP-customised ambulances, umbrellas, gift bags and towels were awarded in violation of procurement rules, warning that such irregularities could lead to the engagement of incompetent contractors and “possible diversion of public resources.”
It further found that the NPFPRO failed to deduct and remit statutory taxes totaling N7,760,409.56, prompting recommendations that the Inspector General of Police account to the National Assembly committees and recover the full amounts for remittance to the Treasury.