Aboubakar Hima

Full Report

Key Points

• Identity and Role: Aboubakar Hima, a Nigerien arms broker, is the CEO of Societe D’Equipments Internationaux (SEI) and has been involved in high-value arms deals across Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal.

• Fraud Allegations: Hima is wanted by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for defrauding the Nigerian government of over $394 million, €9.9 million, and N369 million in fraudulent arms contracts.

• Senegal Contract Controversy: In 2022, Hima secured a secretive $77 million arms deal with Senegal’s Environment Ministry through Lavie Commercial Brokers, raising concerns about inflated pricing and lack of transparency.

• International Scrutiny: Hima’s assets have been seized in the U.S. and South Africa, and he is accused of brokering corrupt arms deals worth $240 million in Niger.

• Evasion and Notoriety: Hima has evaded EFCC investigations, and his operations span multiple countries, often under similarly named companies, suggesting attempts to obscure his involvement.

Overview

Aboubakar Hima, often referred to as “Petit Boubé,” is a 46-year-old Nigerien businessman and arms broker with a significant presence in West African military procurement. As the CEO of Societe D’Equipments Internationaux (SEI) Nigeria Limited, established in 2014, Hima has facilitated multimillion-dollar arms contracts for the Nigerian military and other regional governments. He is also linked to Lavie Commercial Brokers, a Senegal-based firm, and other entities in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Dubai. Hima’s operations focus on supplying military equipment, including helicopters, rifles, and ammunition, often through hastily established companies with minimal organizational structure. His activities have drawn attention due to allegations of fraud, money laundering, and inflated contracts, positioning him as a controversial figure in the global arms trade.

Allegations and Concerns

1. Nigeria Arms Fraud (2014–2015):

   • Hima is accused of defrauding Nigeria of $394 million, €9.9 million, and N369 million through SEI for military equipment that was either undelivered, undersupplied, or refurbished and substandard.

   • The EFCC declared him wanted in 2020 for criminal conspiracy, contract scam, misappropriation of public funds, money laundering, and fraud.

   • Investigations revealed Hima converted $19.67 million into naira via cash withdrawals and bureau de change operators, suggesting the funds were not used for arms imports.

2. Niger Corrupt Deals (2020):

   • A Nigerien government audit found Hima brokered $240 million in corrupt arms deals, involving inflated prices and nondelivery of equipment.

   • He was implicated in overbilling by 18 billion CFA francs and promised to repay 4.9 billion CFA francs and deliver equipment worth 8.3 billion CFA francs but reportedly failed to fully comply.

3. Senegal Secret Arms Deal (2022):

   • Hima’s Lavie Commercial Brokers, incorporated in Senegal in November 2021, secured a $77 million contract with the Environment Ministry for assault rifles and ammunition, bypassing public bidding.

   • The contract’s secretive nature and Hima’s history raised suspicions of price inflation and potential fraud.

4. Asset Seizures:

   • U.S. and South African authorities have seized Hima’s assets linked to illicit arms deals.

   • In Nigeria, a Federal High Court in Abuja confiscated luxury properties and N46 million from Hima’s accounts in 2020.

5. Evasion of Accountability:

   • Hima has repeatedly failed to honor EFCC invitations, evading investigation in Nigeria while continuing operations in Niger and Senegal.

Customer Feedback

No direct consumer reviews are available, as Hima’s dealings primarily involve government contracts rather than individual customers. However, sentiments from public and investigative sources provide insight:

• Negative Feedback:

  • Investigative reports describe Hima as a “notorious arms dealer” whose contracts consistently involve discrepancies, such as undersupplying or delivering faulty equipment. For example, Premium Times noted that Hima “shortchanged Nigeria by undersupplying military equipment, inflating prices, and dishonestly supplying refurbished equipment that often broke down.”

  • Posts on X reflect public outrage, with one user questioning how Hima, with limited English proficiency, secured multibillion-naira contracts, implying systemic corruption.

• Positive Feedback:

  • No explicit positive feedback was found. Hima’s claim to AFP in 2017 that he “continues to work with the Nigerian army” suggests some level of ongoing government engagement, though this lacks corroboration.

Risk Considerations

1. Financial Risks:

   • Engaging with Hima or his companies risks non-delivery or substandard goods, as evidenced by Nigeria’s $394 million loss.

   • His reliance on cash withdrawals and currency conversions suggests potential for financial mismanagement or laundering.

2. Reputational Risks:

   • Association with Hima, given his wanted status and international scrutiny, could damage the credibility of governments or firms, as seen in Senegal’s controversial Environment Ministry deal.

3. Legal Risks:

   • Hima’s wanted status in Nigeria and asset seizures in multiple countries indicate a high likelihood of legal entanglements for partners.

   • His operations under multiple company names (e.g., Lavie Commercial Brokers, HKSK-SAWKI) raise concerns about transparency and compliance.

4. Operational Risks:

   • Hima’s history of setting up companies with minimal infrastructure (e.g., SEI Nigeria incorporated a month before receiving $36 million) suggests operational instability and potential for contract failure.

Business Relations and Associations

• Societe D’Equipments Internationaux (SEI):

  • Hima is the majority shareholder and sole signatory of SEI Nigeria Limited, with his brother Ousmane Hima holding minority shares.

• Lavie Commercial Brokers:

  • Incorporated by Hima in Senegal (2021), the firm is linked to a $77 million arms deal. David Benzaquen, an Israeli businessman and former employee of arms dealer Gabi Peretz, signed the contract as general manager.

• Other Entities:

  • Hima manages Lavie Strategies Limited and Lavie Consulting in Niger (2021), Lavie Commercial Brokers and Lavie Consulting Limited in Burkina Faso (2022), and a Dubai-based Lavie Commercial Brokers linked to Benzaquen’s email.

  • He established HKSK-SAWKI Ltd in Nigeria, named after a Hong Kong-based firm owned by Nigeriens Kabirou Abdoulkadri and Souleymane Siddo.

• Key Associates:

  • David Benzaquen: Founder of Lavie Strategies (Israel), potentially linked to Hima’s Senegal operations.

  • Gabi Peretz: Israeli arms dealer and friend of Senegal’s President Macky Sall, though he denied recent contact with Hima.

  • Sambo Dasuki: Former Nigerian National Security Adviser, implicated in the arms scandal involving Hima.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits and Investigations:

  • In 2017, Hima sued U.S. arms dealer Ara Dolarian in California for failing to deliver $8.6 million worth of bombs, while Dolarian alleged Hima’s funds were part of a Nigerian money-laundering scheme.

  • The EFCC is actively pursuing Hima for fraud, with ongoing investigations into his SEI transactions.

• Asset Confiscations:

  • In 2020, Nigeria’s Federal High Court confiscated four luxury properties in Abuja and N46 million from Hima’s accounts.

  • U.S. and South African authorities seized unspecified assets tied to illicit arms deals.

• Unpaid Debts:

  • Hima promised to repay 4.9 billion CFA francs in Niger for overbilling but has not fully complied.

• Bankruptcy Records:

  • No bankruptcy records were found, but Hima’s reliance on cash withdrawals and new company formations suggests financial maneuvering to avoid scrutiny.

Risk Assessment Table

Aboubakar Hima, a Nigerien arms broker and CEO of Societe D’Equipments Internationaux (SEI), is implicated in large-scale fraud and corrupt arms deals across Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal. He is wanted by Nigeria’s EFCC for defrauding the government of over $394 million through undelivered or substandard military contracts. Hima also secured a secretive $77 million arms deal in Senegal and is accused of brokering $240 million in corrupt deals in Niger. His assets have been seized in the U.S., South Africa, and Nigeria, but he continues to evade authorities, operating through multiple companies to obscure involvement. No direct customer feedback exists, but investigative reports describe him as “notorious” for inflated pricing, under-delivery, and fraudulent practices. Legal, financial, and reputational risks are high, while operational risks are moderate due to minimal company infrastructure and rapid incorporations. Extreme caution and thorough due diligence are essential for any engagement with Hima or his entities.