The World Bank has blacklisted 18 Nigerian companies as well as some individuals over corrupt practices fraud, and collusive practices in its 2021 fiscal year.
The list of debarred companies and individuals was contained in the Breton Woods institution’s new Annual Report titled ‘World Bank Group Sanctions System FY21’.
According to the report, the sanctions were imposed on the affected firms following the ratification by the World Bank Sanctions Board, World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer and the African Development Bank of the charges against them.
The debarments made by AfDB were recognised by World Bank, making the affected firms to be barred under cross-debarment policy.
Based on the World Bank Sanctions Board’s decision, Mr. Elie Abou Ghazaleh and Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazaleh, alongside their entities , Abou Ghazaleh Contracting Nigeria Limited, were debarred for six months for collusive practices.
Also, based on the decision of the Breton Woods multilateral insitution’s Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer, a Nigerian company, Swansea Tools Resources, was debarred for fraudulent practices for two years and 10 months over allegations of misrepresenting its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract.
Similarly, another Nigerian firm, Juckon Construction and Allied Services Nigeria Limited, was debarred for corrupt practices for three years. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 649, it was disclosed that the company made improper payment to a public official.
A Nigerian, Ms. Okafor Glory, was also found guilty by the Board and subsequently debarred for fraudulent practices for four years, while the company involved, Unique Concept Enterprises, was debarred for five years for same reason.
In addition, another company, , Asbeco Nigeria Limited, was debarred for five years for corrupt practices.
Based on the World Bank’s Sanctions Board decision, A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Limited, was debarred for fraudulent practices and collusive practices for four years and six months.
It would be recalled that the African Development Bank (AfDB) had recently debarred some Nigerian companies for similar corrupt practices.
For instance, the AfDB had debarred Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated And Investment Co Limited, and Medniza Global Merchants Limited for two years under cross-debarment recognized by the World Bank.
Also debarred were ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, Abuharaira Labaran Gero, Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, and Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited for three years under the same cross-debarment.
