Siemens bribery scandal and Senator Aminu’s indictment
History of the Nigerian telecommunications sector cannot be written
without mentioning the name of the German company, Siemens. The success
story or otherwise of the sector is closely linked to Siemens over the
years. There is therefore no doubting the fact that Siemens has
significantly contributed to the development of the sector of the country
particularly in providing the basic infrastructure of NITEL’s land line
and much later MTEL’s mobile networks.
Going by the long time relationship and monopoly of the sector by Siemens
one will not be wrong to say that a number of factors must have influenced
this position. One of the key factors that had ensured the monopoly is the
fact that Siemens and Germany have been adjudged to be corruption friendly
company and nation respectively.
Nigerians were therefore not shocked with the revelation in 2007 that
Siemens had bribed some top Nigerian government officials among which were
a federal minister, a Senator and some other government officials. Siemens
as the major contractor to the national telecommunications company, NITEL
and MTEL has admitted to bribing a former Nigeria’s Minister, Senator
Jubril Aminu and some other top federal government officials with a view
to further monopolizing the sector and also covering their numerous shady
deals in the country.
As soon as the bribery scandal was exposed and investigations conducted by
the German authorities, a German court had indicted Siemens and sentenced
its top Executives to various terms of imprisonment for bribing Nigerian
officials including Senator Jubril Aminu to the tune of 1.3billion Euros.
Consequently, the then Nigerian government under the leadership of
President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the Siemens contract in question and
blacklisted the company for the bribery scandal.
Regrettably, the Yar’adua administration whose much touted and over
publicized seven point agenda among others includes due process, respect
for rule of law and above all, its resolve to fight corruption have all
been thrown to the dogs. This is particularly so as regards its recent un-
banning of Siemens from Nigeria’s telecommunications scene despite the
Company’s conviction due to unethical and corrupt business practices in
the country. Siemens was also fined for the bribery scandal. It is also
on record that Siemens was found to be involved in offering bribes to
government officials in Libya and Russia in order to influence the
securing of some telecommunications contracts I those countries.
Furthermore, Yar’adua has rewarded Siemens with a new Power contract worth
billions of Dollars. Under a new partnership with the company that was
blacklisted by its predecessor as the lead firm. The Yar’adua government
had recently signed a contract for the construction of three new turbines
and waste recovery, boilers/steam turbines at Geregu due for completion on
or before 2011 and 2014 respectively.
There is no doubt that at a time when government was all out to stamp out
corruption in the society, Nigerians are certainly left in doubt as to the
sincerity of this fight by the Yar’adua administration that is battling
hard to gain legitimacy.
Unsatisfied with the snail speed of investigations into the allegation of
Senator Jubril Aminu’s involvement and final indictment by Siemens in the
bribery allegation by the anti corruption agency, ICPC, the Yar’adua
administration recently asked it to hands-off the case and transfer the
case file to EFCC for its prompt intervention and continuation of
investigation and possible prosecution.
However, the federal government in its style of being supportive and
against the fight of corruption, pardoned the German company, Siemens and
went further to reward it with a multi billion dollar power contract as
part of its intervention measures in the power sector.
Even a member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye said: “it is
too early for Nigeria to do business with Siemens. If it is other arms of
government that do this kind of thing they will be accused of taking
bribes”. He added ‘it is unfortunate that government like ours that is
campaigning against corruption will now accommodate a globally known
corrupt company that has been indicted by a court of competent
jurisdiction in its home country’. It is our hope that EFCC will now do a
thorough job and do justice to yet another high profile bribery scandal
that involves a sitting Senator Jubril Aminu who also chairs the Senate
committee on Foreign Affairs. The war against corruption must not have
sacred cows. All must be treated equally
MUSA ILALLAH
(musahk123@yahoo.com)
200 Hadejia Close
Kaduna.