Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Probe humanitarian ministry's missing N57bn, SERAP tells Tinubu

POSTED ON November 25, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
President Bola Tinubu and SERAP Logo. Photo: UGC

NIGERIA — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to probe the N57billion allegedly missing in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

This appeal was contained in a letter signed by the group Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following findings in the 2021 audit.

According to the group, “The allegations amount to stealing from the poor. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these grave allegations."

The group appeal to President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly, saying, “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.”

According to SERAP, the 2021 Audirot-General's report highlighted instances of financial mismanagement in the said ministry.

The report noted that N54.63bn allocated for stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021 was not paid to beneficiaries.

It further disclosed that N2.6bn meant for the school feeding programme during the COVID-19 pandemic was allegedly paid to five contractors for projects that were never executed.

“The Auditor-General fears the money may have been diverted,” SERAP stated. “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.”

Other discrepancies cited include N78m purportedly spent on a COVID-19 response survey without proper approval or documentation, N39.5m reimbursed as “personal donations” to the minister, and N400m unaccounted for, which was intended for stipends to independent monitors.

“These damning revelations suggest a grave violation of public trust, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the country’s anti-corruption legislation, and international anti-corruption obligations,” SERAP noted.

SERAP linked these allegations to broader issues of financial misconduct across ministries, departments, and agencies.

SERAP emphasised the need for accountability, stating, “The country’s wealth ought to be used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and for the sake of present and future generations.”

The organization further urged Tinubu to “issue an immediate moratorium on borrowing by the Federal Government to ease Nigeria’s crippling economic woes."

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is a non-profit organization that works to promote and protect economic and social rights in Nigeria and create public awareness of anti-corruption laws and policies, aim at securing the full implementation of these laws.

 

READ ALSO
APC caution Cross River members against unauthorize legal suits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The cross Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress has wa...

READ ALSO
SERAP urges withdrawal of bill targeting Non-Voters in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 31, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to Senate President Godswi...

READ ALSO
Amid doubts and challenges,Tinubu celebrates 73rd birthday with gratitude to Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu shared that he nearly abandoned his presidential ambitions for 2023 due to a m...

READ ALSO
Senate set to prioritize Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills after recess
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 30, 2025 0

The Senate is poised to prioritize the evaluation and approval of President Bola Tinubu’s tax...

READ ALSO
Proposed Age Limit Sparks Outcry Among Political Parties
BY Suleiman Jimoh March 28, 2025 0

In a move that has ignited widespread criticism and debate, Nigeria's House of Representatives recen...

READ ALSO
Nigeria, Canada forge new Aviation ties with bilateral Air services agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - In a notable achievement for the aviation sector, the Minister of Aviation and Aero...

READ ALSO
FG sets August deadline for irregular migrants to regularize status
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government has revealed its intention to enforce stricter measures agai...

READ ALSO
Nigerian leaders call for urgent democratic reforms amid concerns of systemic failure
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 25, 2025 0

ABUJA,Nigeria - Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate for the 202...

OUR CHANNELS:

FG signals tough stance on underdeveloped Oilfields, calls for strategic IOC investments
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government expressed its worries on Tuesday about the growing number of idle and underde...


OpenAI valuation hits $300 billion after SoftBank-led fund
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Japanese telecommunications company, alongside a group of investors, has recently announced yet...


Fuel prices expect to fall below N750 by Year-End - NIPSS
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has said that with Dangote Refinery...


Nigeria imposes N20m fine, 10-Year Jail Term for Ponzi scheme offenders
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stated that promoters and operators of Ponzi scheme...


South Korea launches second phase of educational initiative in Ekiti smart school
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

EKITI, Nigeria - The South Korean government is poised to initiate the second phase of its education...


NFF denies resignation rumors surrounding Super Eagles coach
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted claims that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is cons...


CPPE raises concerns over proposed ban on solar panel imports amid Nigeria's energy crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has raised alarms regarding the government...


Kano praises Emir Sanusi II’s leadership qualities in reinstatement ceremony
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

KANO, Nigeria - Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has stated that his government reinstated Khalifa Muhammad...


CBN's strategic policies lead to significant increase in Nigeria's Net FX reserves
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

Nigeria's net foreign exchange reserves (NFER) stood at $23.11 billion at the conclusion of the prev...


Adeyeye urges capital punishment for drug traffickers amidst N1trn confiscation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

The ongoing fight against counterfeit and substandard medical products by the National Agency for Fo...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu