Julius berger investigated by house of representatives

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, a leading construction company in Nigeria, has been investigated by the House of Representatives over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds.

In 2019, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, led by Hon. Oluwole Oke, launched an investigation into the company's activities, particularly its handling of contracts awarded by the Federal Government.

The investigation was sparked by a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which alleged that Julius Berger had mismanaged public funds and engaged in corrupt practices in the execution of various projects.

Some of the allegations leveled against Julius Berger include:

1. Misappropriation of funds: The company was accused of misappropriating funds allocated for the construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
2. Over-invoicing: Julius Berger was alleged to have submitted inflated invoices for the execution of projects, resulting in the payment of excessive amounts to the company.
3. Poor project execution: The company was accused of poor project execution, leading to delays, cost overruns, and substandard work.
4. Conflict of interest: Julius Berger was alleged to have engaged in conflict of interest by awarding contracts to its subsidiaries and affiliates, thereby compromising the integrity of the procurement process.

During the investigation, the committee summoned top officials of Julius Berger, including the company's Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter, to testify before the committee.

The investigation led to the discovery of several irregularities and anomalies in the company's financial records and project execution. The committee recommended that the company be prosecuted for its alleged wrongdoing and that its contracts be reviewed and re-awarded.

In response to the allegations, Julius Berger has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has always operated in accordance with the laws and regulations of Nigeria. The company has also threatened to take legal action against the House of Representatives and the Auditor-General of the Federation over the allegations.

The investigation into Julius Berger's activities is ongoing, and the company's fate hangs in the balance. If found guilty of the allegations, Julius Berger could face severe consequences, including the revocation of its contracts and the imposition of fines and penalties.