A non-governmental organization named Forum for Governance, Accountability and Transparent Business Practices in Nigeria (FGATBP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to quickly order the immediate suspension of all federal government transactions with a Swiss based firm SICPA pending an independent investigation and Audit of the roles played by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) and the Infrastructure Concession, Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in the ill-fated business dealing with the company which has brought bad image and publicity to Nigeria.
The group also called on the president to direct the anti-corruption agencies especially the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the allegations and hold accountable any official involved in bypassing standard procedures
While calling for a fresh, open, and competitive bidding process that prioritizes companies with unblemished records and innovative, cost-effective digital solutions over outdated paper-based systems, they urged the president to further direct the two government agencies to release all relevant documents, including tender evaluations, due diligence reports, and conflict-of-interest declarations, to the public for scrutiny.
These were contained in a statement issued yesterday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Aisha Bello, Executive Director, (copy made available to New National Star) wherein the group expressed concern over the Federal Ministry of Finance and ICRC handling of the Track and Trace (T&T) Project for excisable goods.
“As stakeholders committed to ethical governance and economic integrity, we are compelled to address these concerns directly to the FMF, urging an immediate review of the proposed partnership with SICPA Security Solutions – a firm with a well-documented history of corruption”, the statement stated.
The name SICPA was originally an acronym for “Société Industrielle et Commerciale de Produits Alimentaires” (Industrial and Commercial Food Products Company) but now functions as the company name. Founded in 1927, the company provides security inks, authentication, identification, and traceability solutions
According to Dr Aisha Bello, recent national media reports have highlighted alarming allegations of corruption against SICPA Security Solutions, the preferred contractor, yet the Ministry appears to have proceeded without adequate transparency or due diligence. This she alleges raises serious questions about the integrity of the procurement process and its implications for Nigeria’s economic governance.
“In the past month, media reports have revealed a growing chorus of criticism from reputable outlets. Headlines like “Track and Trace project, FG advised against awarding contract to corruption-stained firm”, “Track-And-Trace Project, FG, Stakeholders bicker over preferred Swiss company”, and “Track Trace Revenue contract, Outrage over ICRC, FMF, secret endorsement of Swiss firm”, amongst others, underscore widespread unease.
“These reports highlight the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission’s (ICRC) no objection certification, which appears to have been granted without adequate public consultation or scrutiny, unsettling the manufacturing and financial sectors.
“These reports also detail “SICPA’s 2023 conviction by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General for corporate criminal liability in failing to prevent bribes to foreign officials in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, resulting in a CHF 81 million penalty. Further probes in countries including Egypt, India, and Pakistan compound these issues, painting a picture of a company unfit for handling sensitive revenue- collection mandates”., the group explained
Furthermore, the FGATBP Executive Director, said the Federal Ministry of Finance’s apparent endorsement of SICPA under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement “lacks the transparency expected in handling public funds and national resources”, adding that “reports of secret endorsements and attempts to suppress media coverage – such as approaches to editors to pull stories offline – suggest a deliberate effort to evade accountability”.
“This opacity contravenes principles of good governance and due diligence, particularly when alternative providers offering fully digital, cost-effective
solutions exist. Paper-based systems like those proposed by SICPA are not only more expensive and disruptive but also fail to deliver the efficiency and security that digital alternatives provide.
“As an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical business practices and anti-corruption measures, FGATBP views this as a blatant disregard for due diligence. Awarding such a critical project – aimed at enhancing revenue collection and curbing illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol, and spirits – to a firm with a documented corruption record risks tarnishing Nigeria’s
international image and exposing the nation to financial vulnerabilities.
According to her, it also undermines President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s stated commitment to fighting corruption and fostering transparent governance. Please note that this initiative, an indirect consumer tax, raises huge concerns among Nigerian consumers who are already frightened by the proposed 5% fuel tax from 2026.
“In view of the above issues, we call on President Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun to:
- Immediately suspend any further engagement with SICPA pending a comprehensive independent audit of the process.
- Release all relevant documents, including tender evaluations, due diligence reports, and conflict-of-interest declarations, to the public for scrutiny.
- Conduct a fresh, open, and competitive bidding process that prioritises companies with unblemished records and innovative, cost-effective digital solutions over outdated paper-based systems.
- Collaborate with anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the allegations and hold accountable any officials involved in bypassing standard procedures”.
She assured that the group stands ready to partner with the government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the T&T Project aligns with global best practices and serves the Nigerian people’s interests, adding that “transparency is not optional, it is the foundation of sustainable development”.