An investigation has uncovered a case involving alleged corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of public service regulations, in which a serving civil servant, Abubakar Musa Yola, was identified as part of the key management team of a private company, Isobaric Energy Limited.
The company reportedly secured a government contract worth several millions of naira from the Kaduna State Government, an action said to contravene Nigerian laws.
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Under the Nigerian Constitution — specifically Paragraph 1 of the Fifth Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) — public officials are prohibited from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official responsibilities.
Paragraph 2(b) further states that, except for those not employed full-time, public officers must not engage in the management or operation of private businesses.
Investigations indicate that Yola, while serving as a senior research officer at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, allegedly used Isobaric Energy Limited to obtain a contract valued at ₦11,813,862.00 from the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board.
The contract — Lot 19/B12 — covered the construction of a three-classroom block at UBE Unguwan Dogari in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Documents reviewed show that the contract was awarded on January 14, 2020, during the year the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally.
Company Profile
Records reveal that Isobaric Energy Limited was incorporated on July 30, 2015, with registration number 1277203.
Its registered address is listed as DC 52 Bello Sabon Kudi Road, Dawaki.
The company’s management team includes Abdulrahman Ibrahim Madugu, Ahmad Musa Muhammad, Abubakar Magaji Bello, Aliyu Bappah Mahmud, and Abubakar Musa Yola.
Publicly available information confirms Yola’s role as a senior research officer at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute.
Governance Concerns
Analysts say the alleged use of public office for personal financial gain represents a breach of ethical and legal standards intended to ensure accountability in governance.
They warn that such actions erode public trust in government institutions and provide unfair advantages to insiders.
Corruption in public procurement, experts note, continues to pose a serious obstacle to Nigeria’s economic progress and good governance reforms.