The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations of over N57 billion in public funds being unaccounted for in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.
In a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization referenced the 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which highlighted irregularities in disbursement and management of funds meant for poverty alleviation programs.
Specific Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
- Batch C1 N-Power Stipends:
- Over N54.6 billion meant for monthly stipends for beneficiaries between August and December 2021 was reportedly not directly paid to them. The Auditor-General expressed concerns that these funds may have been diverted.
- Covid-19 School Feeding Program:
- Approximately N2.6 billion allocated to the school feeding program during Covid-19 was allegedly paid to contractors for unexecuted projects in Kano, Zamfara, and Abia states.
- Covid-19 Response Survey:
- About N78 million was reportedly spent on a survey without documented approval.
- Independent Monitors’ Stipends:
- N400 million earmarked for stipends to 4,450 monitors for three months in 2021 was allegedly unaccounted for.
SERAP has called on President Tinubu to:
- Direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and anti-corruption agencies to investigate these allegations.
- Recover and remit missing funds to the treasury.
- Use any recovered funds to address Nigeria’s budget deficit.
- Enforce a Federal High Court ruling directing the disclosure of how N729 billion was disbursed under former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
Past Recoveries and Ongoing Investigations
In February 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered N30 billion linked to alleged mismanagement in the ministry. Further investigations uncovered over N500 million tied to the ministry’s current leadership under Betta Edu.
The organization has given the government seven days to act, warning that it may pursue legal action if the matter is not addressed.
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