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.”
ALSO READ: National Assembly In Top Gear For Tinubu’s 2025 Budget Presentation
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.”
The Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) has fixed N150 million as the tariff for outdoor campaign advertisements by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the new tariff, governorship candidates will pay N100 million, while senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and State House of Assembly candidates are expected to pay N50 million, N25 million and N5 million, respectively.
SEE MORE: JUST IN: Former Cross River Gov Donald Duke Defects To ADC
The Director-General of CRISSAA, Ubong Sam, disclosed the rates during an interactive session with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Calabar.
Sam said the tariffs were moderate compared with what obtains in neighbouring states, adding that CRISSAA had introduced measures to regulate advertising spaces and ensure fairness among political parties and candidates.
“We have tried to regulate advert space, by not allowing anybody to insult the integrity of anybody or party, by being fair in all ramifications, by giving advertisers opportunity to either dialogue or arbitration and not necessarily by litigation,” he said.
The CRISSAA boss also directed political parties to remove their campaign billboards and other advertising materials within 30 days after the announcement of election results.
According to him, campaign materials left beyond the 30-day period would be considered a nuisance.
“Immediately after each election, at the expiration when results are announced, political parties are given 30 days to take off their campaign materials. Once it’s beyond 30 days, the advert materials become a nuisance,” Sam said.
He warned that defaulters could have their campaign materials removed, pay fines or face prosecution before the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
While IPAC state chairman, Effiom Edet, backed the tariffs and described them as fair, some political parties rejected the charges.
The state chairman of the Action Democratic Party and the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the tariffs as outrageous and exorbitant, arguing that they could prevent less financially buoyant parties from using billboards to publicise their campaigns.
PDP spokesman, Mike Ojisi, said he was not part of any IPAC meeting where the tariffs were agreed.
“The tariff is outrageous, exorbitant and a ploy to prevent other political parties from carrying out massive publicity through billboards. The tariff is totally unacceptable,” he said.
The new charges are expected to fuel further debate among political parties and stakeholders as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesman for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign, has threatened to institute a ₦10 billion defamation suit against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged defamatory statements.
Olajengbesi, through his lawyer, Hammed Lasisi, Esq., issued the threat in a letter dated August 12, 2026, demanding that the senator retract the statements and issue an unequivocal public apology within 24 hours.
The lawyer said the statements were made by Fadahunsi during television interviews on Viable TV on July 2 and Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 11.
SEE MORE: Osun 2026: Rising Violence Sparks Fear of Voter Apathy Ahead of Gov Poll
According to the letter, Fadahunsi allegedly questioned Olajengbesi’s identity and origin, stating that he was “not even from the same Ijebu-Jesha” and was “from somewhere in Ogun State.”
The senator also allegedly accused the campaign spokesman of “using thugs, Eiye and Aye.”
Olajengbesi’s lawyer argued that the remarks suggested that his client sponsored, associated with or deployed thugs and members of the Eiye and Aye cult groups for political activities.
The letter further cited Fadahunsi’s appearance on Politics Today, where he allegedly said of the late Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba: “Rogba is an Eiye man sponsored by Barr. Olajengbesi terrorising the whole … my own territory up and down through all these Eiye and Aye.”
Olajengbesi denied the allegations, describing them as false, defamatory and injurious to his personal, professional and political reputation.
He maintained that he had never sponsored, financed, supported or patronised any cult group or its members for criminal, political or unlawful activities.
He also denied authorising anyone to terrorise, intimidate or attack members of the public on his behalf.
According to his lawyer, the allegation of sponsoring cultists and persons involved in acts of terror amounted to an accusation of criminal conduct and was particularly damaging to Olajengbesi as a legal practitioner and public figure.
The campaign spokesman has therefore demanded that Fadahunsi retract the alleged defamatory statements through the same media and social media platforms where they were published or disseminated.
He also demanded an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” through appropriate national and social media platforms.
The lawyer warned that failure to comply within 24 hours would prompt Olajengbesi to approach the court to seek ₦10 billion in general and aggravated damages for defamation and injurious falsehood.
The dispute comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
At least 44 people have died after an overcrowded ferry capsized on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, with authorities continuing the search for possible survivors and missing passengers.
The ferry, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, overturned on Tuesday while carrying 114 adult passengers, five crew members and an unspecified number of children.
According to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit, the vessel had a capacity of 90 people, indicating that it was carrying more passengers than its stated limit.
SEE ALSO: Tragedy In Jigawa As Boat Capsizes, Claims Nine Lives
Authorities initially reported that 77 people had been rescued and 15 bodies recovered. However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police later announced on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 44.
“The ZRP informs the public that the death toll in the Kariba RIDA boat accident is now 44,” the police said in a statement posted on X.
A witness, Maxton Kanhema, told AFP that the ferry had departed in bad weather and may have been hit by a strong wave, causing its engines to switch off.
He said rescuers responded after a distress signal was seen and that bodies could be seen in the water.
“People were in distress… There were bodies in the water, and it was a sad situation to witness. Those that could be rescued were rescued,” Kanhema said.
A national park provided a helicopter to support the rescue operation, while larger boats, local divers and soldiers also joined the search.
The Civil Protection Unit said a specialised aquatic rescue team had been airlifted to the area. The 77 rescued passengers were taken to Long Island, located in the middle of the lake.
Two funeral parlours were also engaged to collect the recovered bodies as the search continued for anyone still unaccounted for.
The ferry serves communities between the northern town of Kariba and several islands and fishing villages around Lake Kariba.
Lake Kariba, which lies along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is more than 300 kilometres northeast of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. It is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume.
The incident is one of the worst recorded passenger boat disasters on Lake Kariba.
Nigeria Beats OPEC Quota for Third Month
Maritime Security: NIMASA, Nigerian Navy Renew Collaboration MoU
NNPC/Shell Vision First Initiative Impact over 10,000
2027 Elections: C’ River Slaps Presidential Candidates With N150m, Govs N100m Ad Fee
‘Retract Your Claims or Face ₦10bn Suit’ — Adeleke’s Campaign Spokesman Warns Fadahunsi
Lake Kariba Tragedy: 44 Die as Overcrowded Ferry Capsizes
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
