A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), The Forum for Governance, Accountability and Transparent Business Practices in Nigeria (FGATBP), has expresses has asked the Federal government to immediately probe the Federal Ministry of Finance over its handling of the Track and Trace (T&T) contract for excisable goods in the country.
The group noted in strong-worded statement signed by Dr. Aisha Bello, its Executive Director, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should immediately conduct forensic audit of the procedures for the selection of Société Industrielle et
Commerciale de Produits Alimentaires (SICPA), a Swiss firm, for the T&T contract on consumer goods in Nigeria.
Founded in 1927, the company provides security inks, authentication, identification, an traceability solutions, but is immersed in contract scandals and convicted in its home country, Switzerland.
Insisting that the company is unfit to handle such contract, FGATBP stated that, “As stakeholders committed to ethical governance and economic integrity, we are compelled to address these concerns directly to the FMF, urging an immediate review of the proposed partnership with SICPA Security Solutions – a firm with a well-documented history of corruption”.
According to them: “Recent reports have highlighted alarming allegations of corruption against SICPA Security Solutions, the preferred contractor, yet the Ministry appears to have proceeded without adequate transparency or due diligence.
“This raises serious questions about the integrity of the procurement process and its implications for Nigeria’s economic governance.
“Headlines like “Track and Trace project, FG advised against awarding contract to corruption-stained firm,” “Track-And-Trace Project, FG, Stakeholders bicker over preferred Swiss company,” and “Track & Trace Revenue contract, Outrage over ICRC, FMF, secret endorsement of Swiss firm” underscore widespread unease.
“These reports highlight the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Committee’s (ICRC) ‘no objection’ certification, which appears to have been granted without adequate public consultation or scrutiny, unsettling the manufacturing and financial sectors.
“These reports also detail “SICPA’s 2023 conviction by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General for corporate criminal liability in failing to prevent bribes to foreign officials in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, resulting in a CHF 81 million penalty.
“Further probes in countries including Egypt, India, and Pakistan compound these issues, painting a picture of a company unfit for handling sensitive revenue-collection mandates”.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance’s apparent endorsement of SICPA under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement lacks the transparency expected in handling public funds and national resources. Reports of “secret endorsements” and attempts to suppress media coverage – such as approaches to editors to pull stories offline – suggest a deliberate effort to evade accountability.
“This opacity contravenes principles of good governance and due diligence, particularly when alternative providers offering fully digital, cost-effective solutions exist.
“Paper-based systems like those proposed by SICPA are not only more expensive and disruptive but also fail to deliver the efficiency and security that digital alternatives provide”.
They added that as an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical business practices and anti-corruption measures, FGATBP views this as a blatant disregard for due diligence.
“Awarding such a critical project – aimed at enhancing revenue collection and curbing illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol, and spirits – to a firm with a documented corruption record risks tarnishing Nigeria’s international image and exposing the nation to financial vulnerabilities.
“It also undermines President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s stated commitment to fighting corruption and fostering transparent governance”.
They stressed that the initiative, an indirect consumer tax, raises huge concerns among Nigerian consumers who are already frightened by the proposed 5% fuel tax from 2026.
“We call on the Federal Ministry of Finance to: Immediately suspend any further engagement with SICPA pending a comprehensive independent audit of the process.
Release all relevant documents, including tender evaluations, due diligence reports, and conflict-of-interest declarations, to the public for scrutiny.
“Conduct a fresh, open, and competitive bidding process that prioritises companies with unblemished records and innovative, cost-effective digital solutions over outdated paper-based systems.
“Collaborate with anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the allegations and hold accountable any officials involved in bypassing standard procedures”.
FGATBP said it is ready to partner with the government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the T&T Project aligns with global best practices and serves the Nigerian people’s interests.
