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How $3.4bn IMF COVID-19 Loan Was Allegedly Diverted — Falana
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion of a $3.4 billion loan Nigeria received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2020 to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana expressed concern over the apparent mismanagement of the emergency funds, which were intended to support Nigeria’s healthcare system, protect jobs, and stabilise the economy during one of the most disruptive global crises in modern history.
“It is pertinent to recall that in the wake of the COVID-19 in 2020, Nigeria requested emergency assistance of about US$3.4 billion — equivalent to 100 percent of its quota from the International Monetary Fund to shore up the country’s economy and help businesses weather the storm of a deadly pandemic that disrupted global markets and plunged the world into a recession,” he said.
READ ALSO: SERAP Sues Tinubu Over Missing $3.4bn IMF Loan
The IMF Executive Board had approved the disbursement on April 28, 2020, under its Rapid Financing Instrument.
The Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair at the time, Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa, emphasized that, “The emergency financing under the RFI will provide much-needed liquidity support to respond to the urgent BOP needs. Additional assistance from development partners will be required to support the government’s efforts and close the large financing gap.
“The implementation of proper governance arrangements—including through the publication and independent audit of crisis-mitigating spending and procurement processes—is crucial to ensure emergency funds are used for their intended purposes.”
Falana, however, said the IMF failed to uphold that commitment. “Characteristically, the IMF Management, which jointly manages the neocolonial economy of Nigeria with the Federal Government, failed to ensure emergency funds were used ‘for their intended purposes.’”
He based his claim on the findings of the 2020 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, made public in January 2024.
According to the report, $2.4 billion from the loan was initially transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with the remaining balance deposited at the Bank of China in Shanghai.
Within weeks, both amounts were reportedly moved again—this time to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China—for short-term investments.
“These transactions, according to the audit, were not supported by documentation or approvals from the Federal Government or the CBN’s Investment Committee, and the funds were subsequently reclassified as part of the CBN’s external reserves rather than the Federal Government’s holdings.
“This reclassification, the report noted, allowed interest to be earned on the funds, contrary to the emergency spending purpose for which they were approved,” Falana explained.
Further irregularities were recorded in August 2020 when the Federal Ministry of Finance requested the monetisation of $700 million to support the national budget.
“The Central Bank, according to the report, approved a debit of ₦265.65 billion, applying a higher-than-official exchange rate of ₦379.5/$ as against the prevailing ₦360.5/$.
The funds were credited to three accounts: ₦252 billion went into the COVID-19 Public Sector Account, ₦13.3 billion to the Forex Equalisation Account, and ₦350 million to the Exchange Commission Account.
Falana pointed to additional concerns from the Auditor-General’s findings: “The audit noted that a 2% commission was deducted from the monetised amount, even though the funds were categorised as Federal Government property.
At the end of 2020, an unmonetised balance of $2.7 billion — equivalent to approximately ₦1.02 trillion — remained unaccounted for, according to the Auditor-General’s report.”
The audit urged the CBN Governor to provide an explanation for the movement and reclassification of the funds without due approval.
It further demanded access to bank statements confirming the unmonetised balance, recovery of the ₦13.3 billion and ₦350 million, and full remittance of interest earned on the investments. It warned that failure to do so would attract penalties under financial regulations.
According to Falana, “The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted to the public treasury, and for the evidence of remittance to be forwarded to the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly.
“He also said the Auditor-General also recommended that anyone suspected to be involved should be ‘sanctioned and handed over to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation and prosecution, as provided for in paragraph 3112 of the Financial Regulations.’”
However, the lawyer expressed disappointment that both chambers of the National Assembly have not acted on the report.
“Even though the Auditor-General of the Federation submitted the 2020 Annual Report to each House of the National Assembly, both Houses have failed to cause the report to be considered by the committees responsible for public accounts, to cover up the criminal diversion of the $3.4 IMF and several trillions of Naira set out in the Auditor-General’s report, in utter contravention of section 85(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”
On behalf of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Falana issued a two-pronged demand—urging Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, the EFCC and ICPC, to probe the matter, and calling on the IMF Board to conduct its own investigation.
“We also call on the IMF Board to probe the deliberate refusal of its management to ensure that the emergency funds were used for their intended purposes,” he said.
Falana also asked the IMF to halt collection of any remaining charges on the loan—estimated at SDR 125.99 million (₦275.28 billion)—pending the outcome of a thorough investigation.
Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.
The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.
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The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.
However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.
The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.
Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.
Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.
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He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..
“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..
“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.
Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.
Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.
He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.
“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.
He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.
Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.
He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”
Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”
He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….
“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”
He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”
He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.
Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.
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The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.
“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”
Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:
“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?
“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”
Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?
“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:
Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.
The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.
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