World Bank Sanctions Nigerian Firm, MD over ‘Corrupt Practices’

The World Bank has sanctioned AIM Consultants Limited, a Nigerian consultancy firm, and Amin Moussalli, its managing director, for alleged corrupt practices.

The development was contained in a statement published on the website of the World Bank recently.

The firm, which was involved in the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, was sanctioned for 52 months for improper payment of N12.95 million to certain projects officials.

The statement said: “The World Bank Group today announced the 52-month sanction of AIM Consultants Limited, a consultancy company based in Nigeria, and its Managing Director, Amin Moussalli, in connection with corrupt practices as part of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project.

“The sanction consists of a 34-month debarment followed by an 18-month conditional non-debarment. The debarments make AIM Consultants and Moussalli ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by the World Bank Group.

“Following the initial debarment period, the sanction of AIM Consultants and Moussalli will convert to a conditional non-debarment. During this time, they will be eligible to participate in projects and operations financed by institutions of the World Bank Group as long as they comply with their obligations under the settlement agreement.

“Otherwise, the conditional non-debarment will revert to a sanction of debarment with conditional release, and the company and Moussalli then will become ineligible to participate in World Bank Group projects and operations until the conditions for release set out in the settlement agreement are met.

“The project aims to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. According to the facts of the case, during implementation of two World Bank-financed consultancy services contracts for the provision of engineering design and supervision works in Enugu and Cross River States in Nigeria, AIM Consultants made improper payments totaling N12,954,400 (approx. $45,500) to project officials.”