Janjari Company Denies Link To Senator Jarigbe, Cites Transparency In Contract Awards

By Jonathan Ugbal

Janjari Company Limited has denied allegations linking it to serving lawmaker, Senator Jarigbe Agom, calling them a “malicious attempt” to tarnish its reputation “unscrupulous elements.”

In a statement signed by the Managing Director, Mr. Ijanyi Jarigbe, and obtained by CrossRiverWatch the company said it is a separate entity from the legislator, duly registered, and participated in a “transparent bidding process,” which led to the award, and execution of the said projects with payments made after the completion.

The Claims

On Monday, civic organization, TrackaNG had on its Facebook page and on X (formerly Twitter) published that Janjari Company Limited may be linked to Senator Jarigbe Agom, a three-term legislator who represents Cross River North Senatorial District since Directors and Shareholders all had the names “Agom Jarigbe,” attached.  The contracts, valued at over NGN630million, were awarded between 2023 and 2024.

READ MORE: Documents Link Senator Agom Jarigbe To Company Paid N637Million For Federal Projects In Cross River North

But, the company said the only seeming relationship is that the Chief Executive Officer is a sibling of the legislator, which doesn’t preclude the company for bidding for contracts as it does not contravene provisions of the procurement act.

However, the company stated that the lawmaker is neither a director nor shareholder in the company. It further noted that the Nigerian Senate is not a procurement entity and urged TrackaNG to exercise caution in their claims else risk providing its platform to be manipulated by mischief-makers.

Read The Full Statement Below;

MALICIOUS ATTEMPT TO BRING JANJARI COMPANY LIMITED TO DISREPUTE BY UNSCRUPULOUS ELEMENTS

The Management of Janjari Company Limited wishes to express its deep concern and disappointment over the recent attempt to tarnish its reputation through malicious publication affiliating it with a serving Legislator.

We wish to state categorically that Janjari Company Limited is a registered entity with Corporate Affairs Commission, operating legally and independently. The only seeming relationship that exists is that the Chief Executive Officer is a sibling of the said Legislator.

As it concerns the contracts in question, the Company duly participated in transparent bidding processes, applying and submitting all necessary procurement documents as required. The said contracts were awarded, executed, and completed accordingly, with payments made only after completion of the contracts.

Without doubt, this malicious act is politically motivated and targeted at tainting the image of the Legislator, it is also an affront on the integrity of the Company and its Directors. 

While we appreciate the Civic Organization’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability, we urge them to exercise greater caution and diligence in substantiating their claims, else risk offering its platform to be manipulated by mischief-makers to carry out witch-hunt for ill gains.

With reference to the Provisions of the Procurement Act Sections 16(1) and 54(1)(b) of the Nigerian Public Procurement Act (2007) together imply that:

– Family members of public officials are not barred from bidding if they meet eligibility criteria (Section 16(1)).
– Public officers should not have private interests in procurement contracts, emphasizing transparency (Section 54(1)(b)).

In the light of the above, it is therefore pertinent to note the following:

1. The said Legislator is not a director or Shareholder of Janjari Company Limited.

2. The Nigerian Senate is not a procuring entity. This means that Senators do not have powers to award contracts.

3.  Being a sibling or relative of a Legislator does not make anyone ineligible or unqualified to do contracts in Nigeria.

4. All projects duly awarded to Janjari Company Limited were executed according to laid down stipulations and terms of contracts.

5. Payments for contracts are carried out by the MDAs and not by Legislators or Senators.

In line with the facts, the claims in the publication are spurious and completely baseless. It shows clearly the witch hunt and ill intentions of its authors.

As a Company we remain committed to delivering satisfactory services in the execution of Contracts and all business operations of interest to our Company.

Mr Ijanyi Jarigbe

CEO/MD

Janjari Company Limited