By Bulama Ali Shettima
The Yobe State House of Assembly is in the eyes of the storm for its ignoble role in the alleged contract scandal involving a limited liability company, Damuli Investment running into billions of naira.
For the reading public in Yobe, Damuli Investment is well known around the government circle as one of the notable firms handling various contracts in the Mai Mala Buni-led administration.
However, a recent allegation through a petition on the alleged failure of the firm to execute the contract for the construction and renovation of government lodge, Gujba, awarded to it by the Yobe State Government tended to taint its reputation exposing large scale corruption which drag net will likely sink many in the eyes of the public.
According to the petition by the elders of Gujba dated July 1, 2025, the firm was paid a whooping N1,495,964,884.18 said to be the amount for the contract but reneged in its obligation without achieving any meaningful progress.
The petitioners therefore had urged the Chairman, State House of Assembly’s Committee on Human Rights and Legislative Compliance through which the letter was addressed to prevail on the leadership of the House to investigate the development.
Apparently put under pressure, the House of Assembly on August 5, instituted a probe by setting up an ad hoc committee to look into the matter.
Interestingly, the five-man committee chaired by Hon Adamu Dala Dogo in its report did not only indict Damuli Investment over the Gujba government lodge contract, but also unveiled a litany of other jobs which contract sums running into billions of naira allegedly paid to the company in similar manner with nothing on ground to show for them.
According to the report, the Gujba government lodge contract which was awarded since early 2024, only attained 10 percent progress even though the entire sum was paid to the contractor.
Curiously too, out of the 32 contracts awarded to company and probed by the committee, only one, that is renovation of a 3-bedroom apartment at the Specialist Hospital Yusufari, which contract sum was put at 40,324,987.90, attained 100 percent completion. Non of the remaining others went above 50 percent while some, like the rehabilitation of triple cells and culvert, laterite filling of Dogon Kuka, Daura Road in Fune LGA is possibly abandoned at 2 percent completion stage.
More disturbing is the fact that staggering amount allocated to what constructions experts designated as simple renovation jobs for a human-interest facilities like maternity wards of some of the general hospitals are carelessly left at ‘sorry state’. For instance, the renovation works for the general hospitals in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, Geidam, Gashua and Damagun which cost a whopping N5,557,578,065.00 cumulatively with the money fully released to the contractor.
The breakdown of the contract sum per facility indicated that the General Hospital Damaturu renovation stands at N950,357,173.00; Potiskum, N960,234,134.00; Nguru, N970,345,165.00; Gashua, N975,736,867.00; Damagun, N800,268,862.00; and Geidam, 900,635,864.00 respectively. The report revealed that all the affected facilities stopped at 25 percent completion stages with no indication that it will continue.
Other high profile jobs the firm got and monies paid include line drains in Gashua town, Bade LGA at N561,443,550.00; concrete drainage in Damagun at N350,982,125.00; drainage at Potiskum General Hospital at N975,166,345.00; and concrete line drains in Potiskum at N800,118, 442,495.56 respectfully. While the Gashua line drains is at 25 percent completion, the Damagun drainage, Potiskum drainage and Potiskum line drains are all at 50 percent stages.
It is disheartening however, that despite this glaring anomaly, the committee contradicted itself by giving Damuli Investment a clean bill of health, claiming that the company has lived up to expectations, and that the jobs were done according to specifications.
The lawmakers’ conclusion is understandably drawing the ire of a few who were privileged to stumble on the probe report amid rising suspicion that the committee may have been pressured by a higher power to soft-pedal at the last minute and in the ensuing confusion altered its probe outcome.
And the conspiracy of silence from both leadership of the House led by its speaker and that of the executive arm in this glaring impunity has been deafning thereby throwing up speculations of a possible collusion to advance certain interest.
It is pertinent for Governor Mai Mala Buni to always ensure that due diligence is followed in the award of contract and execution of same especially as he rounds off his assignment as the state chief executive. Concentrating key contracts in the hands of just one company is a red flag which opponents and detractors could use to undermine him especially with his alleged link to the CEO/MD of Damuli Investment.
The situation is not also helped by the fact that his SSG, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, is also believed to be an associate of certain figures in that company. And if the fillers that the governor is favourably disposed to his SSG succeeding him are true, opposition could accuse him of using the company to raise funds to prosecute Wali’s campaign ahead of the 2027 election. This is why it is important for him to tread with caution.
As for the revelation the House committee probe threw up, there is urgent need for Governor Buni to purge himself of the growing suspicion and speculation that he may be aiding the pilfering of the state resources through a proxy to advance a parochial interest, by launching an independent investigation into the scandal. That way the justice sought by the Gujba elders will have been appropriately served.
Shettima is of Tudu-Wada, Kano
