Aboubakar Hima: Broker Behind Overpriced Military Deals

Aboubakar Hima, a Nigerien businessman known as “Petit Boubé,” operates in the underbelly of global arms procurement, where legitimate defense needs often collide with opportunists exploiting chaos for profit. His career is marked by controversy, corruption, and cross-border intrigue. Leaked contracts, audit reports, and corporate registries reveal Hima’s sprawling network of companies, ties to high-level officials, and allegations of fraudulent deals. With deals totaling hundreds of millions in Africa alone, Hima’s activities siphon public funds and pose severe risks for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and reputational integrity.ational integrity.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Hima rose from a modest printing business in Niger to a key player in West African arms brokerage. Born in Niger, he founded Imprimerie du Plateau in 2003, which served as his entry into the local economy. By 2005, his marriage to the daughter of former President Ibrahim Bare Maïnassara—assassinated in 1999—catapulted him into Niger’s political elite. This union opened doors to government contracts, paving the way for a pivot to arms dealing around 2010. No public profile exists for Hima on major social platforms, but OSINT from corporate filings and media reports shows a low-profile operator using proxies and shell companies to maintain distance from scrutiny.

Business Network and Corporate Structure

Hima manages a labyrinth of entities designed to obscure ownership and facilitate cross-border transactions. At the center is Lavie Commercial Brokers, incorporated in Senegal in November 2021, just months before securing a $77 million arms contract with Senegal’s Environment Ministry. Registration documents list Hima as the sole director, though the contract was signed by David Benzaquen, an Israeli national and Lavie’s general manager. Benzaquen previously worked for Gabi Peretz, a prominent Israeli arms dealer with ties to Senegalese President Macky Sall. Peretz’s company offered Senegal a €300 million credit line during the deal period.

In Burkina Faso, Hima manages Lavie Commercial Brokers and Lavie Consulting Limited, both established in January 2022. Niger hosts Lavie Strategies Limited and Lavie Consulting, incorporated in early 2021. Dubai records show a Lavie Commercial Brokers with no named owner but a contact email linked to Benzaquen. Other variants include Lavie Strategies Burkina and Lavie Consulting LLC in Delaware, U.S. These “Lavie” entities form a franchise-like network, allowing Hima to broker deals while insulating himself from liability.

Operations in Nigeria

Hima’s flagship in Nigeria is Société D’Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Ltd (SEI), set up in May 2014 amid the Boko Haram insurgency and a U.S. arms embargo. SEI secured over $400 million in contracts from the Jonathan administration, often via National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, later accused of diverting $2.1 billion in arms funds. EFCC reports show Hima allegedly bribed officers like Alkali Mohammadu Mamu, who received $300,000 and luxury cars for favoring SEI bids. Mamu was convicted of corruption in 2019. Hima leveraged political connections for no-bid contracts, inflating prices or failing to deliver.

Alleged Fraud and Oversight Failures

While consumer complaints are scarce due to government clients, Hima’s operations resemble large-scale fraud. A 2020 Niger audit uncovered $240 million in deals brokered by Hima from 2011–2019, many overpriced by up to 300% or undelivered. Weapons intended for the military arrived as substandard knockoffs or not at all. Nigerian authorities echo these concerns: EFCC labels Hima’s operations as “criminal conspiracy and contract fraud.” A U.S. State Department report describes Hima as a “high-risk broker” undermining regional stability.

Controversial Contracts and Overpricing

The 2022 Senegal contract, signed by Lavie Commercial Brokers, bypassed bidding under “defense security,” though it involved the Environment Ministry. Valued at 45.3 billion CFA francs ($77 million), it included rifles, pistols, ammunition, boats, trucks, uniforms, and drone training—without itemized pricing. Business-class trips to Dubai for inspections highlight potential overpricing. Experts noted this as classic lump-sum overcharging, obscuring costs and inflating the deal.

Money Laundering and Legal Exposure

Hima faces allegations spanning fraud, bribery, and money laundering. In Nigeria, EFCC accuses him of diverting $400 million; a 2020 wanted notice cites conspiracy, fraud, and laundering. Niger audits implicated him in skimming millions from $240 million in deals. U.S. authorities seized $6 million from broker Ara G. Dolarian in 2015 for unlicensed sales to Hima; Dolarian pled guilty in 2019. Hima countersued Dolarian for $8.6 million, claiming non-delivery. South African officials froze $5.7 million sent to Cerberus for unlicensed brokering. No bankruptcy filings appear, though asset seizures suggest financial strain.

Criminal Proceedings and Sanctions

Criminal proceedings continue but are hampered by Hima’s fugitive status. EFCC lists him as wanted, with an Interpol red notice. Niger’s audit prompted internal probes, but no charges emerged due to political interference. Senegal’s deal triggered transparency investigations in 2024. Lawsuits include Hima’s U.S. suit against Dolarian and Nigerian corruption trials against associates like Mamu. Sanctions are implicit: U.S. and South African forfeitures bar him from those markets, while Nigeria’s wanted status freezes assets.

Adverse Media and Public Perception

Investigative reporting exposes Hima’s deals and connections. Haaretz revealed the Senegal contract; Premium Times Nigeria highlighted the $400 million Nigerian windfall. Africa Intelligence reported Peretz’s credit line, fueling speculation of a Peretz-Hima axis. Social media posts call for Senegal to refund the $77 million. Earlier threads decried the Environment Ministry’s secret purchase as a favor linked to Hima’s political ties.

Undisclosed Relationships and AML Risk

Benzaquen’s Lavie Strategies operates across Cameroon, DRC, Niger, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast—overlapping Hima’s operations. Shared branding and email suggest coordination. Nigerian officials funneled funds to SEI without due diligence. Niger marriage ties link Hima to ex-military brass. Layered payments through offshore entities and installment financing create AML vulnerabilities. Hima’s network rates “extreme” for laundering potential.

Reputational Risk and Compliance Alerts

Governments associating with Hima risk scandal. Senegal’s $77 million deal eroded public trust. Governance experts warn opaque arrangements breed corruption. Investors or partners face boycotts; due diligence on Lavie variants could trigger compliance flags and potential fines under EU AML directives.

Conclusion: High-Risk Profile

Aboubakar Hima embodies the perils of unregulated arms brokerage in fragile states. His Lavie network and political alliances facilitate fraud, diverting funds from development to personal gain. AML enforcers should treat Hima-linked transactions as high-risk, mandate enhanced due diligence, asset freezes, and international coordination. Reputational stewards should sever ties immediately. Until full accountability is achieved, Hima’s shadow continues, a reminder that vigilance is the only true defense in the arms trade.

Written by

Rachel

Updated

3 weeks ago