NEWS
SERAP Urges Tinubu To Probe Missing N57bn In Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, Others
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly probe allegations that over N57 billion of public funds are missing, diverted or stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021 alone.”
The SERAP alleged that, “hundreds of billions of naira are also reportedly missing in other ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs].”
It maintained that the damning revelations are documented in the 2021 audited report released last week by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
Consequently, the SERAP urged him to “use any recovered stolen funds to fund the deficit in the 2025 budget, and to issue an immediate moratorium on borrowing by the Federal Government to ease Nigeria’s crippling debt crisis.”
In the letter dated 23 November 2024 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the SERAP stated, “The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations.”
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According to the SERAP, “The allegations also suggest a grave violation of the public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the country’s anticorruption legislation and international anticorruption obligations.”
The letter, read in part: “Poor Nigerians have continued to pay the price for the widespread and grand corruption in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviations and other ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs].”
“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, [the Ministry] in 2021 failed to account for over N54 billion [N54,630,000,000.00] meant to pay monthly stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021.”
“The money was ‘not directly paid to the beneficiaries.’”
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants suspected perpetrators of the diversion to be sanctioned in line with the Financial Regulations.”
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for over N2.6 billion [N2,617,090,786.00] of public funds meant for the ‘home grown school feeding programme during Covid-19’, as ‘the programme was never executed.’”
“The money was allegedly paid to five contractors to ‘procure, package and distribute Covid-19 palliatives to Kano, Zamfara and Abia states,’” but without any trace.
“The Auditor-General fears the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Ministry also reportedly spent over N78 million [N78,373,909.74] to ‘carry out a survey on the Ministry’s Covid-19 response to states and vulnerable groups’ but without any approval or document.”
“The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing or have ended up in the pockets of ‘incompetent contractors’. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N39.5 million [M39,500,000.00] ‘personal donations to different personalities’. The money ‘was paid directly to the minister as reimbursement’.”
“The Auditor-General fears the ‘money may have been diverted’, resulting in ‘the loss of public funds.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N400 million [N400,000,000.00] meant to pay ‘stipends to 4450 independent monitors for October, November and December 2021.’”
“The Auditor-General fears the money ‘may have been diverted’. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Ministry also reportedly paid over N287 million [287,628,300.00] contractors ‘without any document and justification.’ The Auditor-General fears the money ‘may have been diverted’ and wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“These allegations by the Auditor-General are different from the allegedly missing or unaccounted for N729 billion which is the subject-matter of the judgment by Justice Deinde Dipeolu.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“The country’s wealth ought to be used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and for the sake of the present and future generations.”
“These allegations can promptly be investigated and suspected perpetrators named and shamed. Taking these steps would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”
“Prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any missing public funds would improve the chances of success of your government’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
“SERAP urges you to address the widespread and systemic corruption in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs], as documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, including in the 2021 audited report and previous reports.”
“Tackling corruption in MDAs would go a long way in addressing the budget deficit and debt problems.”
“SERAP urges you to immediately enforce the judgment by Hon. Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, ordering your government to release the spending details of N729 billion by Mrs Sadia Umar-Farouk, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development.”
“Investigating the allegations and naming and shaming and prosecuting those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds and recovering the funds would end the impunity of perpetrators.”
“SERAP notes that the consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.”
“SERAP notes that the Senate and the House of Representatives recently approved a $2.2 billion loan request from your government. The loan, equivalent to N1.767 trillion, would be part of the funds used to finance the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget.”
“According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the national debt increased from ₦97.34 trillion in December 2023 to ₦121.67 trillion in March, partly due to exchange rate fluctuations.”
“The total domestic debt stands at ₦65.65 trillion (46.29 billion dollars), while the total external debt is ₦56.02 trillion (42.12 billion dollars) as at June 2024.”
“A moratorium on borrowing would create a temporary debt standstill, and free up fiscal space for investment in Nigerians’ needs.”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on your government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on your government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Under Section 16(1) of the Constitution, your government has a responsibility to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.’
“Section 16(2) further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“The UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party obligate your government to effectively prevent and investigate the plundering of the country’s wealth and hold public officials to account for any violations.”
“Specifically, article 26 of the UN convention requires your government to ensure ‘effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions’ including criminal and non-criminal sanctions, in cases of grand corruption.”
“Article 26 complements the more general requirement of article 30, paragraph 1, that sanctions must take into account the gravity of the corruption allegations.”
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has rejected the bail conditions set by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following his invitation for questioning over a viral video he posted, which highlighted alleged extortion by police officers on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Sowore stated, “I have rejected a bail condition asking me to present a level 17 Permanent Secretary. Instead, I have offered to remain in police custody pending when the joke is over with.”
This came after Sowore was informed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Federal Intelligence Department (FID) that bail would be granted pending the completion of the investigation into the matter.
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The police have charged Sowore with multiple offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause harm, cyberstalking, and refusal to assist public servants.
This follows his recording of a video in which he confronted officers allegedly setting up roadblocks for the purpose of soliciting bribes.
Sowore’s decision to reject the bail conditions stemmed from his refusal to accept terms that he deemed unreasonable and compromising.
“I have also advised the DIG that in accepting ‘bail,’ I will not agree to conditions that compromise my innocence, dignity, and integrity. If such unreasonable conditions are imposed, I will choose to remain in detention until I am charged to court,” he added.
Sowore further criticized the investigation, calling it an exercise in impunity and asserting that no crime had been defined in relation to his case.
Earlier, Sowore revealed that he had completed his “interview” with the police at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, where he was questioned about the viral video. “
The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet,” Sowore explained.
When he asked them to identify the location of the alleged crime, they provided a vague response, mentioning only the airport road. He chose not to provide a written statement, noting that in the absence of a defined crime, there was no need for such a process.
Sowore also reported that the police took a break during the session, later informing him that they were awaiting further instructions from higher authorities.
He expressed concern that the police were planning to take him to Lagos for a “kangaroo trial.” “It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial. However, I am prepared to face any consequences,” he said.
In a direct challenge to the leadership of the Nigerian police, Sowore reiterated his stance against the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he accused of extending his tenure illegally.
“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally,” Sowore stated.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sowore remained resolute, asserting that his fight for justice would continue.
“We are entering a promising year, and our fight for justice will persist,” he concluded, with the hashtag #RevolutionNow, further solidifying his commitment to advocating for human rights and challenging the impunity within Nigeria’s police force.
The Sokoto State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has announced the implementation of the revised N70,000 national minimum wage for all state civil servants, local government employees, and the Local Government Education Authority.
This new policy will take effect on Monday, signaling a significant step towards improving workers’ welfare in the state.
Governor Aliyu, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, emphasized that the new minimum wage reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of Sokoto’s workforce.
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He also encouraged civil servants to match the gesture with greater dedication, professionalism, and hard work.
“With the commencement of the payment of this new national minimum wage, we expect renewed commitment, hard work, punctuality, and, above all, seriousness from our civil servants,” the governor remarked.
Aliyu also reassured workers that his administration is committed to maintaining timely salary payments, with salaries to be paid between the 19th and 22nd of each month.
This consistent schedule is designed to further solidify Sokoto State’s reputation as a worker-friendly administration.
In addition to the new wage policy, the governor has placed a high priority on clearing the backlog of unpaid gratuities owed to retired workers.
A total of N500 million will be allocated monthly to offset these outstanding payments, with an additional N300 million designated for retirees who left service in 2023 and beyond.
Governor Aliyu assured the public that by the end of his tenure, no civil servant would be left owing gratuities.
“This strategic approach ensures that by the end of my administration, no civil servant will be owed gratuities,” Aliyu stated, highlighting the stark contrast with previous administrations where salary delays often stretched beyond 50 days, leaving workers facing financial uncertainty.
Muhuyi Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), has accused a suspect under his agency’s investigation of orchestrating his recent arrest.
Rimingado, who was detained last week, described the incident as a direct consequence of his work in tackling corruption, asserting that “corruption is fighting back.”
Appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, Rimingado explained that the arrest was part of a larger attempt to undermine his efforts.
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“When you fight corruption, corruption will fight back. Anti-corruption fight (is) fair but corruption fight is dirty,” he said.
Rimingado revealed that three federal agencies had been mobilized against him, alleging that “there are lots of activities going around targeted against my person.”
He connected the arrest to an investigation into a massive fraud case involving the former Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company Limited (KASCO).
According to Rimingado, his commission uncovered that N4 billion of Kano State Government funds had been siphoned through various entities.
As part of the investigation, his commission seized assets linked to the crime in accordance with legal procedures. After charging the accused to court, Rimingado said the suspect sought to unlawfully seize the evidence.
“He came up with a series of tactics to snatch away the exhibit of the crime, and that is not allowed in law,” he explained.
To prevent tampering, Rimingado’s commission moved the seized property to a safer location.
He believes that this action prompted the police to arrest him, stating, “When they cannot wait for the court processes and they know they cannot succeed in that case, they now activate the police to arrest me.”
The police officers who detained him accused him of abuse of power, mischief, and trespass, charges Rimingado vehemently denied. “My commission is empowered by law to prosecute suspects of corrupt practices,” he stated.
As of now, the police have not issued any comment on the ongoing developments.
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