The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Bashir Bello Ibrahim, CEO of Formal Act Legacy Limited, for allegedly orchestrating a N30 billion fraud. He previously served as a contractor to the Kaduna State government.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the Kaduna Zonal Directorate arrested Ibrahim after receiving over 250 petitions from victims. These complaints accused him of running a large-scale scam involving fake contracts and misrepresentation.
Though the Kaduna State government terminated his contract, Ibrahim continued to present himself as a consultant to all 23 local government areas (LGAs). He also claimed affiliations with the United Charity Foundation (UCF), the Foundation for Inclusive Community and Rural Development (FICCORD), and the SDGs Office.
In 2020, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government. The agreement aimed to attract international donor funding for LGA projects. Authorities canceled it in October 2023, citing multiple breaches.
Despite the termination, Ibrahim reportedly awarded fake contracts. He convinced contractors to supply items such as hospital beds, borehole equipment, drugs, and medical consumables. He claimed these items were for public projects.
Investigators found that he collected these goods under false pretenses. He sold some of them and kept others in private warehouses. In many cases, he didn’t notify the LGAs or pay the contractors.
Recovered Items and Unsafe Storage
The EFCC recovered several items from the operation. These included Toyota Hilux vans, ambulances, buses, motorcycles, generators, and hospital equipment. Agents also found large quantities of drugs and vaccines.
A search of his warehouse revealed expired and substandard medical products. These included tablets, syrups, hand gloves, syringes, and creams.
EFCC is now working with NAFDAC and the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to assess the condition and legality of the seized medical supplies. Umar Ahmad Suleiman of NAFDAC confirmed that some drugs were genuine and within shelf life. However, others were expired or produced by unregistered manufacturers.
Abubakar Isa Balarabe, a pharmacist with the Kaduna Ministry of Health, described the storage facility as unfit for holding any medical products.
The EFCC said it will charge Ibrahim in court once the investigation concludes.
