32 contractors interrogated in fraud investigation

About 32 contractors in the North West Region are presently being grilled at the North West police station as part of investigations to dismantle a public contracts mafia network in the region.

The contractors are being quizzed for using fake documents manufactured by one Achu Julius who was recently arrested at Commercial Avenue with over 150 fake stamps and other documents in his possession.

According to sources, at the North West police station where the said Julius Achu is being held as investigations gain steam, the stamps and fake document issue revolved around a syndicate including people in key positions in the region.

The investigating officials told pressmen that with the use of fake stamps, clearance certificates from banks, Taxation department, the National Social Insurance Fund and other technical services were issued to contractors and top government officials to be used to get contracts. Through this process, the state has lost colossal sums of money.

Amongst the documents found in the keeping of Achu Julius were money transfer receipts of funds received from some contractors, divisional delegates of public contracts, mayors and other officials.

Also in his keeping were contract documents from several contractors waiting to be treated. The investigating officer said all the documents found in his keeping were being classified and the implicated contractors would be picked up for questioning.

Julius Achu has disclosed to interrogators that he was the owner of four enterprises, notably Ets Achu and Sons, Ets Atang and Sons, Check and Sons and Juh Atang and Sons, though the police officials suspect Achu must have greater forces behind him.

Given the gravity of the fraud uncovered by the police, the Minister of Public Contracts, Abba Sadou who learnt of the scandal has dispatched an investigation team to the region to find out exactly who did what and who is involved.

News of the arrival of the team sent shock waves round the region and many contractors and public officials involved in the scam are now quaking as they wait for the unknown.

Some officials expressed worries that their signatures and documents from their offices have been forged severally and they were not able to track the source while the police expressed shock that even those that are now known to have had very close working ties with the said Achu Julius have all gone underground with not a single soul passing by the police station to check on him.

The police have so far established a list of 32 contractors who were using the services of Achu Julius to get contracts. They are now being grilled and may even appear before the Special Criminal Court for fraudulent activities.

Unfortunately, attempts to lay hands on the list have remained abortive, as police officials hold the names of those involved in the scandal as a top secret.