World Bank Suspends Two Nigerian Firms and CEO for Corruption

The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month suspension on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, over involvement in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt activities related to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Monday, the World Bank revealed that the project, designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households, was compromised due to unethical practices during the procurement process in 2018 and the subsequent contracting phase.

The World Bank’s statement read, “The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam.

“The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.”

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The World Bank indicated that both companies, along with Didam, had falsified their bids by concealing a conflict of interest and improperly accessing confidential tender details from public officials. These actions were considered fraudulent and collusive, violating the Bank’s Anti-corruption Framework.

Furthermore, the World Bank pointed out that Viva Atlantic Limited and Didam had misrepresented the company’s experience, submitted forged manufacturer’s authorization letters, and offered bribes to project officials, labeling these actions as corrupt.

The statement emphasized that such violations significantly undermined the integrity of the social safety net initiative, which was meant to assist Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The statement further detailed, “According to the facts of the case and the general principles of the World Bank’s Anticorruption Framework, in connection with a 2018 procurement and subsequent contract, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in the companies’ Letter of Bids and received confidential tender information from public officials, which constituted fraudulent and collusive practices, respectively.

“Further, Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”

As a result, the debarment bars the companies and Didam from engaging in any World Bank-financed projects or operations during the suspension period.

In return for their cooperation during the investigation, the parties acknowledged their wrongdoings and agreed to specific conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.

The conditions require Didam to undergo ethics training, while the companies are expected to strengthen their internal integrity compliance policies and introduce corporate ethics training programs that align with the Bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

The World Bank also mentioned that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the companies’ and Mr. Didam’s cooperation in the investigation, voluntary corrective measures, restraint from bidding for contracts, and the time elapsed since the violations took place.

The statement added, “The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency. The settlement agreements feature reduced debarment periods due to the companies’ and Mr. Didam’s cooperation with the Bank Group’s investigation, voluntary corrective actions, voluntary restraint from participating in Bank Group tenders, and the passage of time.”

The World Bank reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in development projects, underscoring that these sanctions reflect its strict stance on corruption.

It further emphasized that the involved parties must fulfill the outlined conditions during the debarment period in order to regain eligibility for future participation in Bank-funded projects.