Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and Dr Ahmad Lawan
FeaturedHighlight

Again, SERAP asks NASS leadership: Probe missing N4.4bn from your coffers

375

 

“Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds”

Rising to its mandate again, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the leadership of the National Assembly to direct appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate the “missing” N4.4 billion from its coffers.

It wants an investigation into the “missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen funds” as documented in three audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

An open letter dated January 30, 2021 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, was addressed to the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and made available to Persecondnews.

The letter was copied to Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Mohammed Abba, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold both itself and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to account in the management of public resources.

“If not satisfactorily addressed, these allegations would also undermine public confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities to prevent and combat corruption, and to ensure the public interest, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

“These allegations of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.”

“Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

“The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710.

“The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.

“The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December, 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.

“The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money,” SERAP stated.

It also provides other details:”The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.”/

“The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.

“The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.

“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.

“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.

” If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”

“The Auditor-General also noted in his 2018 report that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies failed to remit N577,634,638,20 due from contracts and supplies, even though the deductions were made.”

” However, the Institute claimed that it was the National Assembly that was required to remit the money, as it is the body that maintains the account on behalf of the Institute.

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Nigeria has ratified both treaties,” SERAP said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FCT Police Commissioner To Officers: No Illegal Detention, Extortion ‎

In pursuit of professionalism within his Command, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)...

Lagos’ Most Wanted Hired Killer, Kidnapper Arrested in Ogun After Decade-Long Manhunt

After being on the loose for over a decade, the most wanted...

South Africa’s Constitutional Court Celebrates 30 Years, CJN Hails Fearless Adjudication

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Nigeria’s Chief Justice, has praised the Constitutional Court of...

Exclusive: Don’t Overburden Supreme Court with Irrelevant Cases, Says Tietie

Dr. Frank Tietie, Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social an Economic...

Fake Degrees: Reps Give Togo Clean Chit, Vow to Sanction Benin Republic

When early a year and five months after a blanket ban on...

NDLEA/Optometric Association Vision Centre Launch, Bold Move in Staff Welfare

As part of efforts to enhance staff welfare and morale, National Drug...

Nigeria’s Border Security: CDS Musa Proposes Double-Layer Wall

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has proposed a...

Consumer Complaint: FCCPC Closes France, Belgium, Italy Visa Centres in Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa...

Benue Crisis: Tinubu Appoints Akume to Lead Resolution Committee

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the...

Senate Approves N360bn Increase in Rivers’ 2025 N1.8trn Budget, Cites Reasons

Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibak, has presented a revised...

Ahead of 50th Anniversary: Oyo Govt Unveils N63.4bln Renovation Plan for Government House

The Oyo State government has approved a whopping N63.47 billion for the...

Alleged terrorism: FG closes case against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial...

Defamation trial: Ezekwesili, Yesufu, others storm court for Akpoti-Uduaghan

A show of solidarity unfolded at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High...

Social Media Unstoppable, FG Won’t Muzzle Media – Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has acknowledged...

Just in: Defamation: Court grants Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan N50m bail, adjourns until Sept. 23

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory...

Defamation: Akpoti-Uduaghan arrives in court for arraignment

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District, has...

GF Moves to Tackle Food Insecurity, Poor Infrastructure

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has identified key factors driving the rising...

Consistent Innovations, Capacity Building Key to Quality Healthcare – Dr. Peterside

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a renowned turnaround expert and accomplished technocrat, says continuous...

TCN Inaugurates Committee to Drive Power Sector Recovery, Boost Grid Efficiency

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah In a renewed push to reform Nigeria’s ailing...

Enugu Govt Inaugurates LOC for 23rd National Sports Festival, NSC Hails Gov. Mbah

The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step towards hosting the...