Civil Society Group Petitions ICPC to Probe NSIB DG Alex Badeh Jr. Over Alleged Financial Mismanagement
A civil society organisation has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch an investigation into the Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Alex Badeh Jr., over allegations of financial mismanagement and violations of procurement procedures.
The petition was submitted by the Concerned Citizen and Whistleblower Initiative, which urged the anti-graft agency to thoroughly examine a series of alleged irregularities in contract awards, recruitment practices and project implementation within the bureau.
In a petition signed by the group’s National Secretary, Ayo Adedeji, the organisation asked the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive probe to determine whether due process had been followed in several administrative and financial decisions taken at the agency since Badeh assumed office.
The organisation alleged that some contracts awarded by the bureau may have violated established public procurement procedures, particularly in relation to renovation works, office partitioning and other infrastructure-related projects at the NSIB headquarters in Abuja.
According to the petition, these projects require scrutiny to ensure compliance with government regulations guiding procurement and public expenditure.
The group also raised questions about recruitment and staff placement decisions within the bureau, urging investigators to determine whether the processes adhered to the relevant civil service rules and guidelines.
It further expressed concerns regarding the bureau’s spending on staff training programmes and induction exercises, as well as the utilisation and management of certain government assets under the agency’s custody.
The organisation stated that the purpose of the petition was not merely to level accusations but to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions.
“Public agencies entrusted with critical national responsibilities must operate within the framework of established rules and regulations. Any perceived irregularities should be thoroughly investigated to maintain public trust and safeguard government resources,” the petition stated.
The petitioners therefore called on anti-corruption agencies to undertake a full investigation into the allegations and take appropriate action should any wrongdoing be established.
The NSIB, which is responsible for investigating transportation accidents and serious incidents in Nigeria’s aviation, maritime, rail and other transport sectors, plays a key role in improving safety standards through independent investigations and safety recommendations.
Alex Badeh Jr. was appointed Director-General of the bureau by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 13 December 2023 and formally assumed office on 19 December 2023.
Since his appointment, the bureau has continued its mandate of investigating transportation occurrences and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents and improving operational standards across Nigeria’s transport sector.
However, the civil society organisation insists that recent administrative and financial decisions taken under the bureau’s current leadership warrant urgent scrutiny by relevant oversight bodies.
As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the petition.
