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
Fani-Kayode criticises Mutfwang's leadership amid security crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

PLATEAU, Nigeria - Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-K...

READ ALSO
2face get appointment as technical adviser to Benue Govt.
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia    has appointed music legend, Innocent Idibia...

READ ALSO
Six dead in Okene Accident: Akpoti-Uduaghan Urges Immediate Road Safety Reforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

KOGI, Nigeria - Following a tragic auto accident in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the loss of...

READ ALSO
Tinubu returns to address escalating violence in Nigeria after Paris trip
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - President Bola Tinubu is set to convene with the service chiefs to address th...

READ ALSO
NPSA urges politicians to prioritise security over 2027 elections as Reps delay plenary till May 6
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

The Senate and House of Representatives have delayed their plenary sessions until May 6.  In t...

READ ALSO
Nigeria to conduct census as Tinubu unveils committee focused on technology, coordination
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 17, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu officially launched a high-level committee on the upcoming na...

READ ALSO
2027: Northern Nigeria's commitment to secure 2m votes for Tinubu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 17, 2025 0

PLATEAU, Nigeria - The Northern Nigeria Youths Union has pledged to secure more than two million vot...

READ ALSO
There is nothing new to disclose, FG downplay U.S. court ruling
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 14, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Aso Villa has minimized the significance of the U.S. court ruling that mandates the...

OUR CHANNELS:

2face get appointment as technical adviser to Benue Govt.
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia    has appointed music legend, Innocent Idibia...


Nigeria's Economic Reforms Boost Sovereign Credit Profile - IMF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

The Assistant Director for Global Markets at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Jason Wu,  ...


Six dead in Okene Accident: Akpoti-Uduaghan Urges Immediate Road Safety Reforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

KOGI, Nigeria - Following a tragic auto accident in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the loss of...


Plateau NBA expresses outrage over violence, urges FG to protect citizens
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

PLATEAU, Nigeria - Due to the assaults and homicides occurring in Plateau State by alleged Fulani mi...


LASG reports over 517,000 traffic violations amid enhanced road safety measures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State Government on Tuesday revealed that from May 2024 to March 2025, mo...


Police Inspector Dies by Suicide in Port Harcourt
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - A Police Inspector identified as Maxwell Zabu, who was attached to a former Chairm...


Tinubu lauds ECOWAS for regional integration, economic progress at golden jubilee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for promoti...


LASG celebrates two million passengers on blue rail, highlights transportation achievements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria (NAN) - The Lagos State Government has announced that over two million passengers hav...


FG aims to upgrade 2,701 PHC to enhance healthcare access across Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

The Federal Government, via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has reveal...


Education minister urges colleges to embrace dual degree system
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has called on stakeholders in Co...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu