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BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] yesterday arrested 18 directors of the National Mass Literacy Commission (NMLC) over an alleged N271million contract scam.

It was reliably gathered that the 18 directors including the Executive Director Mr Dayo Olatuji who is said to have escaped arrest allegedly perpetuated the fraud last year December and 100 percent of the contract sum was paid without following due process.

The memos with which the contracts were awarded originated same day and got approval for payment same day.The source further explained that the companies used to allegedly siphon the money were owned by the Executive Director and other officials of the commission.

It was also revealed that “the bone of contention now is how on earth is it possible that contract of such magnitude could originate same day and the entire money paid same day.”

Their act simply violated the Procurement Act of 2007 which forbids 100 percent payment for any payment, what the law permits is 15 percent.”The EFCC is said to be probing the payment at the same time investigating what could have led to such payments at such a period of the year the source added.

When contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrests but refused to make further comments on the arrests .