NEWS
SERAP Sues 36 Govs, Wike Over Trillions Of FAAC Allocations
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike over failure to account for Federal allocations dating back to 1999.
It was gathered that action followed reports that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.123 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024.
They shared N1.208 trillion in April, which saw the states collect N398.689 billion in March, after they collected N403.403 billion in April.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/666/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the governors and Mr Wike to publish spending details of the FAAC allocations collected by their states and the FCT since 1999 including the list and locations of projects executed with the money.”
The SERAP also asked the court to “compel the governors and Mr Wike to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission [ICPC] to probe any allegations of corruption linked to the allocations and to monitor how the money is spent.”
In the suit, the SERAP argued that, “Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds including FAAC allocations, are spent by the governors and FCT minister.”
According to the SERAP, “Opacity in the spending of the FAAC allocations collected by the governors and Mr Wike would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”
According to the SERAP, “trillions of FAAC allocations received by Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT have allegedly gone down the drain. The resulting human costs directly threaten the human rights of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.
“Without the information on the spending details of the FAAC allocations, Nigerians cannot follow the actions of their states and the FCT and they cannot properly fulfill their responsibilities as citizens.
“Directing and compelling the governors and FCT minister to provide the information sought and widely publish the spending details of the FAAC allocations collected by them would serve legitimate public interests.
“The failure by the governors and the FCT ministers to account for the spending of the FAAC allocations collected by them is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.”
The suit filed on behalf of the SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
A coalition of the Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG) and the Kogi Conscience Liberation Movement (KCLM) has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and other agencies to intensify their efforts in combating corruption in Nigeria.
This appeal comes in response to increasing frustration over the delayed prosecution of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, accused of an ₦80.2 billion fraud.
During a press conference in Abuja, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, the national coordinator of CCSGG, stressed the importance of tackling corruption, stating, “Corruption threatens our socioeconomic and political progress.”
“Delays in prosecuting high-profile cases like that of Yahaya Bello undermine public confidence,” he added.
Jacob pointed out that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed charges against Bello, delivered through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN), on April 23, 2024.
He remarked “Over two months have passed, and Nigerians are growing impatient. The lack of decisive action sends the wrong message about our commitment to fighting corruption.”
Peter Onuwa, KCLM’s national coordinator, echoed similar concerns, stating, “The EFCC’s efforts are insufficient. Nigerians are losing faith in the fight against corruption, especially in Kogi State.”
Onuwa elaborated, “Corruption has severely impacted Kogi’s economy. High poverty levels and increased crime rates are direct results. Civil servants have become beggars due to eight years of salary shortfalls.”
The groups urged President Tinubu, the IGP, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the EFCC to take swift and decisive action.
“We call on the authorities to ensure justice is served promptly. The people of Kogi State are desperate for action,” Jacob added.
Strategic efforts to reignite the national economy, by stimulating the manufacturing sector have yielded collaboration between the federal government and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
This was revealed in a statement put out on the verified X handle of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
Biztellers reports that they would be hosting a three-day national manufacturing policy summit scheduled for July 2-4, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, under the theme “Rethinking Manufacturing,”
Nkwocha revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would grace the event as the Special Guest of Honour and would also declare the summit open.
Nkwocha stated, “The President will also reinstate the administration’s commitment to industrial growth and economic diversification.
“The Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and other partners will play key roles in the summit to bring together stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), multilateral partners, regional institutions, and industry leaders to forge a new path for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.”
Nkwocha cited the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, thus, “the Summit will focus on discussions on overcoming the binding constraints that limit the performance of the manufacturing sector, enhancing supply chain resilience, leveraging technology, and generally fostering a conducive business environment to drive the growth of the sector.”
An explosion struck the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam early Monday morning, causing multiple injuries among the workforce.
The dam, which has not yet been officially commissioned by the Federal Government, is the fourth hydroelectric project in the state, following Jebba, Kainji, and Shiroro dams.
The cause of the explosion has not been disclosed. Local sources confirmed that several workers were injured, with those most seriously hurt being transported to Minna, the state capital, for intensive medical care.
Among the injured was a Chinese national, seen being taken to Minna for further treatment.
While the total number of injured workers is not yet clear, it is reported to be significant.
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