World Bank blacklists seven corrupt Nigerian firms, individuals in new report

Seven Nigerian firms and individuals have been sanctioned by the World Bank over alleged corruption during the bank’s 2022 fiscal year.

The bank disclosed this in its latest Fiscal Year 2022, which covered July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the Sanctions System Annual Report.

Three Nigerians and four Nigerian companies who were found guilty of corruption of necessary investigations by the Washington-based bank made the list.

Out of the four companies, two were sanctioned by the African Development Bank, but recognised by other multilateral organizations, including the World Bank under the cross-debarment policy.

One, Mr Salihu Tijani was blacklisted for three years and two months, while Mr Isah Kantigi was blacklisted for five years.

Another Nigerian, Amin Moussalli, was blacklisted for two years and 10 months, with additional conditional non-debarment (which means the individual is eligible to participate in the bank’s operations) for one year and six months.

AIM Consultants Limited were the other two companies blacklisted by the World Bank for two years and two months, and SoftTech IT Solutions and Services Ltd for four years and two months.

The other two firms blacklisted by AfDB but recognised by the World Bank under the cross-debarment policy were Sargittarius Nigeria Limited and Sargittarius Henan Water Conservancy Engineering Ltd for two years and six months each.

Meanwhile, two Nigerians and two firms had been removed from the blacklist after complying with the bank’s conditions.

The Nigerians were Mr. Elie Abou-Ghazaleh and Mr. Fadi Abou-Ghazaleh, while the firms were Abou Ghazaleh Contracting Nigeria Ltd. and Quick Projects Limited.

In his remark in the report, the World Bank Group President, David Malpass, said that bank efforts in financing projects could be affected by corruption.

He said, “At a moment when every available resource must be deployed for maximum impact, these ill effects of corruption can be especially damaging. For this reason, it is important to recognize the role of the Bank Group’s sanction system, which plays a significant part in our institution’s efforts to maintain oversight and accountability for the financing we provide.

“The offices that comprise the sanctions system—the Integrity Vice Presidency, the Office of Suspension and Debarment, and the Sanctions Board and its Secretariat—work together to send a clear message: corruption has no place in development.”

In total, he said that the bank debarred or otherwise sanctioned 35 firms and individuals.

Twenty-two companies are now eligible to again participate in projects financed by the bank after meeting up its conditions.