Buhari gets 14 days ultimatum to probe N300bn

Over alleged missing N300billion public funds, the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) through a letter signed by it’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare has given President Muhammadu Buhari 14 days to direct the AGF, Abubakar Malami, and other anti-corruption agencies to probe the missing funds.

The body based its demand on the 2017 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF).

The body decried revelations of mismanagement, diversion and stealing of public funds, as well as monies unaccounted.

SERAP said the audited report by the AGF shows a lack of accountability and violation of public trust, and that Departments and Agencies (MDAs)and the National Assembly lack effective and credible internal processes to prevent and fight corruption.

It said the Federal Civil Service(FCSC) allegedly spent 25,856,279 to develop online recruitment in April 2014, however, since it was suspended, the monies were paid for contracts not executed.

The audit report said it granted cash advances totalling ₦8,590,000 to 25 officials between February and December, 2016 but failed to retire or account for the money.

₦6,850,000 was allegedly paid for store items that were never supplied, Another ₦2,619,210 was spent without receipts.

SERAP cited that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to show any receipts for the payment of ₦4,385,230,763 between January and December 2016.

The Ministry was found to have spent ₦105,000,000 to buy computer consumables, photocopy machine consumables, papers and other store items, contrary to official circular, and without any receipts. The AGF recommended the return of the money to the public treasury.

₦7,520,000 was spent by 20 officials to visit 8 out-stations of the Ministry without due process and without any receipts. ₦234,622,718 was also spent but remained unretired or unaccounted for. The AGF recommended the full recovery of the funds.

₦32,353,693 was allegedly spent between March and September 2017 on international travels without approval or evidence of spending. The AGF recommended the full recovery.

Federal Ministry of Water Resources allegedly spent ₦343,957,350 without due process, receipts, and without any evidence of work done or services rendered. Also, ₦14,993,950 granted as cash advances to staff was not accounted for.

Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Makurdi allegedly misappropriated ₦42,277,285 of contract money for project management.

Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation allegedly paid ₦301,984,103 for projects without accounting for it. ₦36,641,528 was also paid for seminars, conferences and workshops without any receipts.

The list goes on and on, of monies that were either unaccounted for, or not recovered, despite the AGF’s recommendation for full recovery of these funds.

The group SERAP, in the letter, also pointed out several other misappropriation documented in the AGF’s report.