Investigate missing N57 billion from Federal Ministry – Group asks President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has been called upon by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to urgently investigate claims that over N57 billion was diverted or stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

In addition to this specific allegation, SERAP reports that hundreds of billions of naira are believed to be missing from other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as outlined in the recently released 2021 audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP is urging President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in collaboration with relevant anti-corruption agencies, to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into these allegations.

The organization emphasised that those found responsible should face prosecution, provided there is sufficient admissible evidence, and that any misappropriated public funds should be fully recovered and returned to the national treasury.

Further, SERAP has called for the use of any recovered funds to help address the funding gap in the 2025 federal budget.

The group also recommended an immediate halt to government borrowing in order to mitigate Nigeria’s growing debt crisis.

In a letter dated November 23, 2024, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stressed that the allegations represent a severe breach of public trust and amount to theft from Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

“There is a clear public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious accusations,” the letter stated.

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.’

“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.

“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 maintained.